Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 22 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 22 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 18 centres operated by a number of providers including: Health Service Executive (HSE); Kerry Parents and Friends Association; L'Arche Ireland; Muiríosa Foundation; Nua Healthcare Services Limited; Praxis Care; Prosper Fingal CLG; and Redwood Extended Care Facility Unlimited Company.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included: 

• At a HSE centre in Dublin, the inspector was shown artwork created by residents and displayed throughout the centre. One resident explained how art was very important to them and they had exhibited their work. They also spoke about how they had been presented with an award by the Irish President for their artwork.
• Residents had information in relation to their rights, complaints and advocacy services available to them at a centre in Kilkenny operated by L'Arche Ireland. Residents were facilitated to make choices across a range of daily activities, their healthcare and the management of their finances. Inspectors saw that residents were consulted through regular discussions about the day-to-day running of the centre.
• At a centre operated by Praxis Care in Sligo, staff had completed human rights training and they explained how this had improved their awareness of the importance of individualised care and respect for residents. As a result, residents were more actively engaged in the local community accessing opportunities and experiences which promoted  a life of dignity, respect, choice, inclusion and independence.

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

Poor governance was identified at three centres operated by the HSE. At one centre, poor management of safeguarding incidents and insufficient staffing impacted on residents and the care they received. At the remaining two centres, improvements were needed in staffing and the premises in order to meet residents’ needs.

Finally, improvements were identified in fire safety measures at a centre operated by the Muiríosa Foundation.