Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 21 reports on residential services 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 in Ireland.

Eight centres were found to have a good level of compliance with the requirements of the regulations and standards, including centres operated by the Brothers of Charity, Enable Ireland Services and Moorehall Disability Services Ltd. However, HIQA found areas of non-compliance in 13 centres.

Two reports have been published for centres operated by GALRO Limited. An inspection in one centre found evidence of compliance, with services being delivered in line with residents’ assessed needs. While the other centre had made significant progress since the previous inspection, areas that still require improvement include residents’ rights, safeguarding and safety, and workforce.

Three reports for centres run by the Daughters of Charity were published. Two of these centres were found to be providing a service that was in compliance with the standards and regulations. In the other centre, inspectors found that the design and layout of the premises did not meet the needs of the residents.

In a centre operated by COPE Foundation, inspectors found positive practice and good compliance with the regulations. However, some improvements were required in areas including workforce, safeguarding and safety.

One report was also published for a centre run by Cheeverstown House Limited. Evidence of institutional practices was found in residents’ homes. Due to high levels of non-compliance the provider was required to take immediate action.

Nine of the reports published today relate to centres operated by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in the northwest of the country. Inspectors found a good standard of care and improved quality of service provided in eight centres. However, all nine of these inspection reports identified an absence of important safeguarding documents such as Garda Síochána (police) vetting disclosure. Furthermore, a number of significant actions remained outstanding in one centre. Areas that needed to be addressed included premises, fire safety and governance.