Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 21 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 21 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 12 centres operated by a number of providers including: Autism Initiatives Ireland CLG; Avista CLG; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG; Cheeverstown House CLG; Clann Mór Residential and Respite CLG; COPE Foundation; and Gheel Autism Services CLG.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Dublin operated by Avista CLG, residents' rights were actively promoted. To promote one resident’s independence the centre’s front door had been adapted so that it could be opened with a swipe card to increase accessibility. Furthermore, staff had advocated on behalf of another resident to have the right to remain at the centre despite significant changes in their care and support needs.
• Residents were supported to engage in meaningful activities at a centre in Kildare operated by Gheel Autism Services CLG. Residents were supported to engage in individualised programmes which best met their individual needs. Residents were also supported by staff to enjoy a range of social activities in their local community such as arts and crafts, bowling, library visits, meals out, cinema and social club attendance.
• At a centre operated by COPE Foundation in Cork, residents spoke about how happy they were living in their new home which they had recently moved into. Residents were also enjoying the opportunity of decorating their new bedrooms and support staff had made sure to put up the Christmas tree even though residents had only very recently moved into the centre.

Non-compliances that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents were identified in nine other centres. 

Poor governance was identified at five centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG. At one centre, a lack of oversight by the provider impacted on residents’ care. In addition, improvements were needed in safeguarding measures and residents’ rights. Across the remaining four centres, improvements were needed in areas such as staffing, fire precautions, and residents’ personal plans.

At a centre operated by CoAction West Cork CLG, improvements were required in fire precautions and the premises to meet residents’ needs.

Poor governance and staffing impacted on the continuity of care for residents at a centre operated by Avista CLG. At a centre operated by COPE Foundation, improvements were needed in the management of residents’ finances. 

Finally, improvements were needed at a centre operated by Abode Doorway to Life CLG to ensure all incidents are notified to HIQA as required under the regulations.