The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 22 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.

On inspection of nine centres, a good level of compliance was found with the requirements of the regulations and standards, including centres operated by Autism Spectrum Disorder Initiatives Limited and Carriglea Cairde Services.    

Two reports were published for centres operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland. In one of these centres, the inspector found that the quality and safety of care provided was of a good standard. However, inspectors found that the provider was not ensuring residents were safe and their rights protected at all times in the other centre. As a result of ongoing concerns regarding overall safeguarding and governance arrangements, the centre is in an ongoing programme of escalated regulatory action.

Nine reports were published for Brothers of Charity Ireland centres. Four centres showed a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards. However, a number of significant issues were identified in the other five centres in the areas of health and safety, risk management, governance and management, workforce, and residents’ rights, dignity and consultation.

Four reports relate to centres operated by Western Care Association. A good level of compliance was found in one centre. However, inspectors found that residents’ finances were not being safeguarded in three centres. The provider was required to make significant improvements in health and safety, safeguarding and risk management, and in the governance and management of residents’ finances.

Four of the reports published refer to Ability West centres. Inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in one centre. Governance and management was inadequate in three centres to ensure that the service being provided was meeting residents’ needs. Non-compliance was found in a number of areas including health and safety, risk management, and safeguarding and safety.

An inspection was carried out in response to an application by Cheeverstown House Limited to register a new centre and to ensure that revised governance arrangements in the centre were having a positive outcome for residents. Good practise was identified in a number of areas; however, improvements were required to ensure risk was being managed in line with the regulations.