The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 25 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 and respite services for people with disabilities in Ireland. 

Of the 25 reports, 21 inspections found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards, including in centres operated by Daughters of Charity Services, Dundas Ltd, G.A.L.R.O., Kingsriver Community and Muiríosa Foundation. Non-compliance with the regulations and standards was found in four centres. 

Reports on eight Health Service Executive (HSE) centres have been published. Inspections found that four centres were meeting residents’ needs in line with the regulations and standards. Non-compliance was identified in the other four centres. One centre did not have evidence that An Garda Síochána (police) vetting was in place for all staff. In November 2015, HIQA applied to the district court under Section 59 of the Health Act 2007 for specific conditions to be placed on the registration of three centres. In all three centres, inspectors found that the provider was making good progress on improving the quality of the service for residents. The provider was due to close one of the centres by June 2018, and while substantial progress has been made, the provider has not completed this plan. Since the inspection, the provider has submitted an updated plan to transfer the remaining residents to more appropriate living arrangements by 31 October 2018.