Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 32 inspection reports on designated centres for people with disabilities. HIQA inspects against the Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities) Regulations 2013 and the National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities, which apply to residential services for people with disabilities in Ireland. 
Of these 32 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 25 centres operated by a number of providers including: Ability West; Avista CLG; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG; Dara Residential Services; Dundas Unlimited Company; Embrace Community Services Ltd and GALRO Unlimited Company.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• Residents and their families had completed feedback questionnaires and were highly complementary of the service being provided at a children’s respite centre in Limerick operated by Avista CLG. Residents said that they loved the staff that supported them and enjoyed visiting playgrounds nearby. Families described the service as a “home away from home”.
• At a respite centre in Kildare operated by Dara Residential Services, residents availed of meaningful activities while on short stays enjoying activities such as the cinema, shopping trips, cooking, baking, and going out for coffees and meals.
• At a centre in Clare operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, residents enjoyed attending yoga classes and physical therapy organised in their home, as well as one resident attending a community-based exercise class.
   

Non-compliance that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents was identified in seven other centres. 

Poor governance impacted residents at a centre operated by Cheeverstown House CLG. Poor management of safeguarding incidents by the provider were found to have adversely impacted residents. Improvements were also required in residents’ activities, staff training and management of records. 

At a centre operated by Barrow Valley Enterprise for Adult Members with Special Needs CLG, poor governance increased the risk to residents. Improvements were required in residents’ personal supports and assessments.

Poor governance was identified at three centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG. At one centre, a review was required in restrictive practices and their impact on residents. To support residents’ needs, improvements were required in the management of residents’ assessments, supports and medications at the remaining two centres.

At a centre operated by Avista CLG, improvements were required in residents’ support plans and in staff training. Finally, improvements were required in fire safety measures at a centre operated by Autism Initiatives Ireland CLG.