Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 30 inspection 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 services for people with disabilities in Ireland. 
Of these 30 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 11 centres operated by a number of providers including: Abode Doorway to Life CLG; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG; Enable Ireland Disability Services Limited; and the Health Service Executive (HSE). 

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included: 

• At a centre in Cork operated by Abode Doorway to Life CLG, a resident spoke warmly of the relationships they had with their peers and the staff team, describing it as a community. The resident said that they would be comfortable raising any issues about the service they received, and described feeling safe in the centre.
• At a centre in Roscommon operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, staff were observed spending time and interacting warmly with residents and supporting their wishes. Residents were observed to be at ease and comfortable in the company of staff. Clear and appropriate communication systems and aids were in place, and these were being used effectively by staff to communicate with residents.
• At a HSE-operated centre in Cavan, staff were observed supporting residents in a kind, patient and jovial manner, while respecting the residents’ rights to make their own decisions. For example, on the morning of the inspection a resident was going to do some shopping and was trying to decide what to wear, with staff taking the resident on a short walk outside to allow them to decide for themselves.

Inspectors identified poor levels of compliance with the regulations and standards in 19 other centres.

At two centres operated by Ability West, poor governance, management of risk and inadequate personal plans for residents were impacting on residents’ day-to-day lives. The Chief Inspector has had ongoing concerns about the impact of poor governance on the lives of residents in a number of centres operated by Ability West. A six month regulatory escalation programme across all of the provider’s centres has now concluded and there has not been sufficient improvement in governance and management in the organisation. In September 2023, the Chief Inspector cancelled the registration of one of the provider’s centres, and notices of proposal to cancel the registration of a further three centres were also issued in December. Inspectors continue to monitor the quality of care and support being provided to residents in those centres.

At two centres operated by KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities, residents were impacted by safeguarding incidents, poor management of complaints, lack of staffing and insufficient access to their finances and transport.

Two reports have been published on centres operated by the COPE Foundation. Poor governance and management of risks were identified along with issues relating to staffing and training which adversely impacted on residents’ rights and choices at both centres.

Poor governance has been identified in five centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG. This impacted on residents’ rights and living arrangements, with improvements needed in managing risk, premises, and staff training.

In four centres operated by the HSE, improvements were required in areas including residents’ rights and finances, safeguarding measures, fire safety and premises.

Residents’ finances, fire safety and measures to protect against infection required improvements at a centre operated by Cheeverstown House CLG.

Insufficient staffing was found to have affected the care provided to residents at a centre operated by Avista CLG.

Inspectors found that residents’ rights and choices were not respected at a centre operated by IRL-IASD CLG, and improvements to the premises were also required.

Finally, fire safety measures required improvement at a centre operated by North West Parents and Friends Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability.