Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 30 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 30 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 19 centres operated by a number of providers including: Muiríosa Foundation; MyLife by Estrela Hall Limited; Nua Healthcare Services Limited; Offaly Centre for Independent Living CLG; Orchard Community Care Limited; Praxis Care; Redwood Extended Care Facility Unlimited Company; Resilience Healthcare Limited; St Catherine's Association CLG; St John of God Community Services CLG; Stewarts Care DAC; Talbot Care Unlimited Company; and Trinity Support and Care Services Limited.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a respite centre in Meath operated by Praxis Care, to meet residents’ needs there was a large sensory room with bean bags, lighting, floor mats and sensory tactile activities. Also in other parts of the centre, residents had access to gaming consoles, arts and craft activities, and other age-appropriate games. The provider also actively sought feedback on the service provided from residents and their families, with the person in charge holding a family forum meeting each year.
• Residents told the inspector about their plans including a trip to the cinema, walks, time with friends and attending a drama class, during an inspection of a centre in Laois operated by Resilience Healthcare Limited. One resident explained how they had made friends from attending the centre and it also enabled them to share experiences with others relating to Prader-Willi Syndrome. In addition, all staff in the centre had received specific training in Prader-Willi Syndrome to help them understand the care and support needs of residents.
• At a centre operated by Stewarts Care DAC in Dublin, residents had lived together for many years and had moved from the provider’s campus setting to this community-based centre in May 2025. Residents were being supported to integrate into their new community, through activities such as becoming members of their local churches, becoming familiar with local public transport and going on trips to local shopping centres. Staff spoke about how much the residents were enjoying doing the weekly grocery shop for the centre, which was not something they would have had an opportunity to do in their previous home.
   

Non-compliance that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents was identified in 11 other centres.

Poor governance increased risks impacting on residents at a centre operated by Trinity Support and Care Services Limited. The provider was required to make improvements to its risk assessment arrangements to better support resident safety.

Poor governance impacted upon residents at a centre operated by Muiríosa Foundation. Concerns were raised about safeguarding incidents, staff training and Garda vetting, and managing residents’ medications and finances.

Poor governance was identified at a centre operated by MooreHaven Centre (Tipperary) Designated Activity Company. Improvements were required by the provider in managing safeguarding incidents, residents’ personal plans and risks, the premises and staffing. 

At a centre operated by Nua Healthcare Services Limited poor governance was identified. The provider was required to make improvements in managing residents’ healthcare and medications, as well as staffing to meet residents’ needs.

Poor management of safeguarding incidents linked to compatibility between residents required improvement at a centre operated by Positive Futures: Achieving Dreams. Transforming Lives. CLG.  At a centre operated by Sunbeam House Services CLG, improvements were required in residents’ safeguarding plans and the premises. Improvements were required in staffing, the premises and meeting residents’ communication needs at a centre operated by St Michael's House.

At a centre operated by St John of God Community Services CLG, the management of residents’ medications and healthcare required review. Residents’ personal and social activities required improvement at a centre operated by S O S Kilkenny CLG.

Improvements were required in the admissions procedure for new residents at a centre operated by Talbot Care Unlimited Company.

Finally, residents’ health and social care assessments required improvement at a centre operated by Terra Glen Residential Care Services Limited.