Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 29 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 29 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 19 centres operated by a number of providers including: Autism Initiatives Ireland CLG; Avista CLG; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG; Cheeverstown House CLG; Delta Centre CLG; GALRO Unlimited Company; and the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• The design and layout of a centre in Wicklow operated by Autism Initiatives Ireland CLG ensured that each resident could enjoy living in a safe, comfortable and homely environment. The premises enabled the promotion of independence, recreation and leisure and enabled a good quality of life for the residents. The person in charge spoke about how staff supported one resident's interest in woodwork projects such as garden benches and flower boxes, which they did in the centre’s large garden shed.
• At a centre in Dublin operated by Cheeverstown House CLG, a resident spoke about how they completed an annual charity walk in local parks and how they choose a charity each year to fundraise and support. The resident showed the inspector pictures from previous charity walks as well as the different staff members who had helped them to complete the walks.
• Residents spoke about their plans to go on holiday during an inspection of a HSE centre in Sligo. Residents spoke about how they made choices in their lives and how they were consulted about their care and support. During the evening, a resident returned from a night away with the support of a staff member. They spoke about what they did while away, and showed the inspector items they had purchased.
   

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

At three centres operated by the HSE, poor governance impacted upon residents. In one centre, safeguarding incidents affected the quality of life for residents. Improvements were required in another centre in managing risks for residents. While in the third centre, the management of residents’ finances required improvement.

Poor governance arrangements impacted on residents at four centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG. At two centres, improvements were required by the provider in the management of safeguarding incidents between residents.

While in the remaining two centres, improvements were required in fire safety and the premises.

Improvements were needed in staffing arrangements to meet residents’ needs at a centre operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland. At a centre operated by Carriglea Cáirde Services, governance and staff training required improvement. 

Finally, improvements were required in the overall governance and planning at a centre operated by Embrace Community Services Ltd.