Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 28 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 28 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 18 centres operated by a number of providers including: Autism Initiatives Ireland CLG; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG; Health Service Executive (HSE); Nua Healthcare Services Limited; Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny)/trading as Aurora-Enriching Lives, Enriching Communities; St John of God Community Services CLG; St Michael's House; Sunbeam House Services CLG; The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland; The Rehab Group; Horizons; and L'Arche Ireland.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre operated by the HSE in Sligo, residents had spent the summer away from the centre with their families and friends. Residents chatted with the inspector about the interesting things they had done during their breaks and expressed how they were all delighted to be back living together again.
• Each resident due to their different needs had their own staff team to support them, at a centre in Kilkenny operated by Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny)/trading as Aurora-Enriching Lives, Enriching Communities. One resident enjoyed hiking, cycling, going to the gym, meeting family, attending matches and volunteering at local sports clubs, as well as going on holidays. A second resident required a slower pace of activities and enjoyed going for drives, going out for coffee, attending mass and shopping. Staff ensured that the residents’ needs were well accommodated.
• During an inspection of a centre in Dublin operated by St Michael’s House, one resident spoke positively about the staff team and their fellow residents. They told the inspector about their hobbies and interests which included attending art classes, going swimming and watching soaps with another resident and staff member in the evening. They were also particularly proud of their role in teaching jewellery making in a nearby day service. 
   

Non-compliance that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents was identified in 10 other centres.

Non-compliance was identified at three centres operated by the HSE. In one centre, poor governance meant the provider had not protected residents’ personal possessions. In the remaining two centres, improvements were required in different areas such as staffing and fire safety. 

At two centres operated by Horizons, non-compliance was identified. In one centre, residents’ activities were impacted by insufficient staffing and improvements were required in the premises as well as in the managing of residents’ medications and complaints. In the other centre, improvements were required in residents’ personal support plans.

At three centres operated by Avista CLG, non-compliance was identified. At one centre, a review of restrictive practices at the centre was required. In the remaining two centres, improvements were needed in different areas such as staffing and the premises.

Improvements were required in staffing and staff training at a centre operated by St Michael's House.

Finally, overall governance and the suitability of premises required improvement at a centre operated by KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities.