Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 26 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 26 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 15 centres, including in centres operated by Praxis Care; Sunbeam House Services; The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland; The Rehab Group; and Western Care Association.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• Regular pre-visit discussions with residents in a Praxis respite care centre in Co. Louth ensured residents’ stays were enjoyable and reflected their needs. Residents also enjoyed activities associated with adaptations to the centre in light of COVID-19, such as a new arts and crafts room, cinema projector and beauty room.
• Residents were actively involved in making decisions about the day-to-day running of a Rehab Group Centre in Dublin. Residents through regular house meetings, planned events and activities which had included a recent birthday party and a summer barbeque where families were invited.
• In a Sunbeam House Services centre in Tipperary, residents’ artwork was displayed throughout the centre, including two large arts and crafts recycling projects hanging on the kitchen wall. Residents were also actively supported to make choices about their lives, with staff using visual aids where residents needed additional help.

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 11 inspections.
 
Two centres operated by Stewarts Care required improvements. In one centre, residents’ needs were not always met, due to the unavailability of trained staff. In the other centre, improvements were required in the areas of risk management and protection. 

Inspectors found non-compliance in two centres operated by Sunbeam House Services CLG relating to the condition of the premises and arrangements for the protection of residents. 

In a centre operated by Talbot Care, the governance and management arrangements had not ensured the service provided was safe and appropriate to residents' needs.

Areas of non-compliance were identified in two Walkinstown Association for People with an Intellectual Disability centres. Further improvements were required in personal planning and safeguarding of residents from the risk of abuse at the centres.
 
Non-compliance with fire precautions was identified in three separate centres operated by Praxis Care, Rehab Group and Western Care Association.

In a centre operated by the Cheshire Foundation of Ireland, the provider failed to demonstrate that residents were fully supported to achieve their personal goals and had regular access to their local community.