Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 21 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 21 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 12 centres operated by a number of providers including: Ability West; Avista CLG; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG; Dara Residential Services; Dundas Unlimited Company; Health Service Executive (HSE); and Orchard Community Care Limited.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• Two residents spoke with the inspector about their different talents, interests and skills, during an inspection of a centre in Waterford operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG. They spoke about travelling independently, keeping in touch with and visiting their family and friends, their roles in day services and work, and how they liked to take part in the upkeep of their home and garden.
• At a centre in Kildare operated by Dara Residential Services, a resident said that they loved their new home and the extra space that it provided. The resident also told the inspector about a planned house warming party which was scheduled for the end of the month with family and friends invited to attend. The resident was engaged in organising the party with staff and had agreed on decorations and food to be purchased for the event.
• Residents were supported to integrate into their local community, while living in a centre in Louth operated by Dundas Unlimited Company. Two of the residents had been provided with training and support to access the community independently. For example, one of the residents was now using public transport and regularly went to a large town to do some shopping or get a coffee. This resident informed the inspector that they loved doing this.

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

At a centre operated by Inspire Wellbeing CLG, residents’ rights were not upheld by the provider and residents were impacted by institutional practices. In addition, improvements were required in fire safety measures and premises.

Poor governance was identified at a centre operated by Avista CLG. Residents were impacted by poor management of safeguarding plans and their rights were adversely affected by certain practices relating to residents’ finances. In addition, improvements were required in managing complaints and staff training.

Poor governance was identified at three centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG. Improvements were required in fire safety measures, premises and in staff training. At a centre operated by Ability West, improvements were required in fire safety measures and premises. 

Measures to protect against infection and premises both required improvement at a centre operated by GALRO Unlimited Company. At a centre operated by CoAction West Cork CLG, improvements were needed to residents’ support plans.

Finally, improvements were required in fire safety measures at a centre operated by Co Wexford Community Workshop (Enniscorthy) CLG.