• We register all centres that meet the requirements set out by the Health Act 2007 and regulations (the law). All centres must be registered with us in order to stay open and look after people. We keep the register on our website.
• We inspect and monitor centres to check they are meeting regulations and national standards. This aims to ensure that providers deliver a safe, quality service to residents. We carry out different types of inspections, some of which are announced and unannounced.
• We publish our inspection reports so the public can see how centres are performing and what it is like to live there. 
• We act on risks where services are unsafe or failing to meet their legal responsibilities.

During an inspection, we visit the centre and speak with the people living and working there. Our inspectors review all information about the centre, including any information gathered during the inspection and any information received and use it to inform our work. We want to know that people who are receiving residential care and support:

• are safe
• have their rights respected
• are included in decisions about their care and support
• are provided with care and support that matches their individual health and social needs and
• have a good quality of life.

Learn more about what to expect from a HIQA inspection on our Guide to HIQA Inspections in Disability Services webpage which has our easy-to-read guide and a video.

Open Our Guide to HIQA Inspections in Disability Services webpage (opens new tab)

These reports give information to the public on what it is like to live in the centre and whether a centre consistently provides good care and support. If we find a centre needs to make improvements, the reports include a ‘compliance plan’ which sets out what the provider is doing to improve care and support for residents. 

When required, we take necessary action to enforce improvement if a provider is failing to meet their legal responsibilities.

We send surveys or questionnaires to centres before an announced inspection to allow residents to give us feedback on what it is like to live in their centre.

Residents can also complete the survey at any time and send it to us.

Open our resident surveys (opens new tab)

Learn how to give feedback or raise a concern about the care or support you receive in a disability service (opens new tab)

We also meet with residents through forums (or meetings) across the country each year to hear their views. 

Read our resident forums reports (opens new tab)

The Chief Inspector of Social Services is required to establish and maintain a register of designated centres. The content of the register is set out in law and includes the information below:

• Date of centre’s registration and expiry date
• Registered provider and related contact details
• Person in charge details
• People participating in management of the designated centre
• The number of residents that can be accommodated at the designated centre
• Any conditions applying to the registration of the designated centre

Download the Register (CSV file)

Section 64 Register

Under the Health Act 2007 (as amended), the Chief Inspector may cancel the registration of a designated centre where providers are not providing a safe service to residents. 

In such circumstances, Section 64 of the Health Act 2007 allows for the Health Service Executive (HSE) to assume responsibility for the operation of the centre on an interim basis. 

This ensures continuity of care and support for residents until such time as an alternative provider is registered and takes over responsibility and operation of the centre.

Download the Section 64 Register (CSV file)

• Open The Health Act 2007 (as amended) (external website)
• Open Health Act 2007 (Registration of Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities) Regulations 2013 (as amended) (external website)
• Open Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities) Regulations 2013 (external website)