The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today 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 and respite services for people with disabilities in Ireland. 

Inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 17 inspections, including in centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland, Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services, Autism Initiatives Ireland, Cheeverstown House, the COPE Foundation, Co Wexford Community Workshop (Enniscorthy), and Dundas. In these centres, the provider was ensuring a good standard of support and care at the time of inspection. Non-compliance with the regulations and standards was identified on four inspections.

Inspections of 10 centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland found that seven centres were ensuring that a good-quality service was delivered to residents, in line with the regulations. However, improvements were required in three centres. In one centre, improvements were required to the centre’s management structure to ensure that the person in charge could effectively carry out their role. Further non-compliance was identified in the areas of staffing, individual assessment and personal plan, and health care. In another centre, inspectors found that notifications to HIQA of the use of restrictive practices had not been made on a consistent basis. Further non-compliance was identified in the areas of persons in charge; governance and management; notification of incidents; premises; and fire precautions.

In another Brothers of Charity centre, it was found that the type of service being provided was not suited to the needs and preferences of all residents. Improvements were also required to the centre’s fire precautions and to residents’ individual assessments and personal plans.

Inspections of five centres operated by Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services found that four centres were in compliance with the regulations and standards. In another centre, it was found that the registered provider and person in charge were not effectively monitoring the quality of care and support provided for residents, and the design and layout of the centre did not meet residents’ needs. Further non-compliance was identified in areas including training and staff development; fire precautions; and medicines and pharmaceutical services.