Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 34 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 34 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 25 centres operated by a number of providers including: Praxis Care; Redwood Neurobehavioural Services Unlimited Company; Resilience Healthcare Limited; St Gabriel's Foundation; St Hilda's Services; St John of God Community Services CLG; St Joseph's Foundation; St Michael's House; Stewarts Care DAC; Talbot Care Unlimited Company; The Rehab Group; and Western Care Association.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• During an inspection of a centre in Kildare operated by Resilience Healthcare Limited, staff members offered young residents choices around where they would like to spend their time, what activities they would like to engage in and what they would like to eat or drink. The back garden contained a large trampoline, swing, playhouse, climbing frame and outdoor toys and young residents had the opportunity to engage in different types of play.
• At a centre in Louth operated by St John of God Community Services CLG, a resident enjoyed a cup of tea and spoke with the inspector. The resident liked music and cars and showed the inspector their music system where they liked to play records. The resident also tended to flower beds outside their apartment where they grew flowers.
• The residents’ home was decorated with balloons and banners as a resident was celebrating their birthday, during an inspection of a centre in Dublin operated by Stewarts Care DAC. There was a wide selection of party foods, snacks, and drinks available for all residents to enjoy, creating a festive atmosphere for everyone.

Non-compliance that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents was identified in nine other centres. 
Poor governance was identified at a centre operated by Western Care Association. Residents were not supported to make choices and were impacted by restrictive practices within the centre. In addition, staff training and oversight by the provider required improvement.

Poor governance and management of safeguarding incidents impacted residents at two centres operated by Resilience Healthcare Limited. Improvements were required in managing risks, staff training, fire safety measures and in overall governance by the provider.

Safeguarding arrangements were found to be ineffective at a centre operated by Stewarts Care DAC, which meant that residents were not adequately protected from safeguarding incidents. As a result, residents’ privacy had been impacted.

Poor governance was identified at a centre operated by Sunbeam House Services CLG. Improvements were required by the provider in management of safeguarding incidents.

At a centre operated by the Peamount Healthcare, inspectors observed poor governance which impacted on the care available to residents. An urgent action was issued to the provider to improve staffing to meet residents’ needs while improvements were needed in managing risks and restrictive practices.

At a centre operated by St Michael's House, improvements were required in staffing and in fire safety measures. At a centre operated by St John of God Community Services CLG, residents’ personal and support plans required improvement. 
Finally, improvements were required in managing complaints at a centre operated by Talbot Care Unlimited Company.