Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 31 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 31 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 19 centres operated by a number of providers including: Ability West; Autism Initiatives Ireland Company Limited By Guarantee; Avista CLG; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG; Cheeverstown House CLG; Daffodil Care Services Unlimited; Delta Centre 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 Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, residents were supported to fulfil their hobbies. One resident sold home-grown eggs from a chicken coup in their home. Another resident was helped by staff to complete a book about an Irish public figure which they pointed out in their living area.
• Residents were supported to engage in part-time employment at a centre in Dublin operated by Cheeverstown House CLG. A resident explained how staff had met with them and their employee support officer to go through details of their work and what they can do to further develop their role. The resident discussed that they had been working for over 10 years and had made a number of friends and local connections as a result.
• At a centre in Carlow operated by Delta Centre CLG, a resident enjoyed their job in a local supermarket and spoke about how much they enjoyed meeting people when they were working. The resident also told the inspector about a party that they were preparing for the following evening at a local sporting club.
   

Non-compliance that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents was identified in 12 other centres. 

Poor governance impacted upon residents in a centre operated by Avista CLG. As a result, an urgent action was issued to ensure residents were protected from safeguarding incidents. In one other centre, the same provider was required to improve their admissions process for residents.

Poor governance was identified at two centres operated by the HSE. Across these two centres, improvements were required by the provider to minimise residents’ restrictive practices, better manage safeguarding incidents and improve staffing. In addition, improvements were needed in the management of medications in another HSE centre.

At a centre operated by Ability West, an immediate action was issued to ensure fire safety measures were improved, which was then provided during the inspection.

Non-compliance was identified at two centres operated by Cheeverstown House CLG. Across these centres, improvements were required in staffing, managing risks and in supporting residents’ communication and development needs. 

At three centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, non-compliance was identified. The provider was required to make improvements in staffing, fire safety, and in management of medications across these centres.

Finally, at a centre operated by Embrace Community Services Ltd, improvements were required in the living arrangements of residents and to minimise restrictive practices.