Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 28 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 28 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 16 centres operated by a number of providers including: Orchard Community Care Limited; Praxis Care; Resilience Healthcare Limited; Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny)/trading as Aurora-Enriching Lives, Enriching Communities; St Aidan’s Services; St Hilda's Services; St Michael's House;
Stewarts Care DAC; Sunbeam House Services CLG; Talbot Care Unlimited Company; The Rehab Group; and WALK CLG.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

At a centre in Cork operated by Resilience Healthcare Limited, residents made scrapbooks of photographs including pictures of residents playing the guitar, artwork they had completed, celebrations and participation in sporting events. Staff members had sourced an allotment where residents were growing vegetables and meeting with others in their local community.

In Dublin, a centre operated by St Michael's House provided a bright, welcoming and child-friendly environment. There was a cartoon-style information poster on keeping safe and an easy-to-read poster about the complaints process. One wall had a photograph collage of the activities that residents had taken part in during the month. The inspector observed photographs of children with happy and smiling faces taking part in activities in play parks, trampoline centres, museums and the local library.

During an inspection of centre in Wicklow operated by Sunbeam House Services CLG, a resident was involved in advocating for improved accessibility regarding their local footpaths. Staff said the resident had attended several meetings with a number of stakeholders and was working with them in advocating for change and improvement. The resident also talked to the inspector about an upcoming musical show, which they had a part in.

Non-compliance that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents was identified in 12 other centres.

Poor governance impacted upon residents at a centre operated by Western Care Association. Improvements were needed in residents’ rights, choices and restrictive practices within the centre.

At a centre operated by Stewarts Care DAC, poor governance was identified. Improvements were required in managing residents’ personal possessions, residents’ social activities and in measures to protect against infection.

At a centre operated by Talbot Care Unlimited Company, improvements were required to support residents’ rights, activities and their finances.

Poor governance arrangements were identified at two centres operated by Sunbeam House Services CLG. Across these centres, improvements were required in measures to protect against infection and in the premises.

At a centre operated by St Michael's House, improvements were needed in residents’ behavioural support plans. Residents faced restrictions to their finances at a centre operated by St Joseph's Foundation, which required improvement.

Poor governance was identified at two centres operated by St John of God Community Services CLG. Improvements were required in staffing, fire safety and staff training to better support residents.

Improvements were needed in fire safety measures at two centres operated separately by Praxis Care and the Anne Sullivan Centre CLG.

Finally, the management of residents’ complaints required improvement at a centre operated by St Catherine's Association CLG.