Direct provision (Irish: Soláthar díreach) is a system of asylum seeker accommodation used in the Republic of Ireland. The system has been criticised by human rights organisations as illegal, inhuman and degrading. The system, operated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, provides international protection applicants with accommodation free of charge and a small allowance. International protection applicants in direct provision are usually entitled to state-funded medical care, and children have full mainstream access to the education system. Residents of direct provision are often given very small amounts of water that have to be used for both cleaning and drinking.