Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 20 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.

Of the 20 reports published today, 12 centres were found to have a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards, including centres operated by Ability West, Brothers of Charity Services Ireland, Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services, Dundas Ltd, Gateway Community Care Limited, and Lorrequer House. However, evidence of non-compliance was found in eight centres.

Five reports have been published on Nua Healthcare centres. While evidence of good practice was found in one centre, areas for improvement were identified in four centres. Reviews of restrictive practice use were not comprehensive in three centres to ensure the least restrictive practice was used for the shortest duration possible. In another centre, improvements were required to residents’ bedroom accommodation to promote residents’ rights and protect them from the risk of fire.

Five reports have also been published for Muiríosa Foundation centres. Four centres were found to be operating in compliance with the regulations and standards. In the fifth centre, improvements had been made to the quality of care and support for all residents; however, staffing levels were not always meeting residents’ assessed needs.

In a centre operated by the Catholic Institute for Deaf People, improvements were required to the assessment, planning and review of residents' personal and social care needs to ensure residents were afforded opportunities for new experiences, and the skills to maximise their independence and potential.

In a centre which had been recently taken over by Enable Ireland, residents’ healthcare needs were now being met. However, residents told inspectors that there were staffing shortages which limited their access to the community.

In one unit of a centre run by Gheel Autism Services, inspectors identified significant improvements were required to the premises to meet the requirements of the regulations.