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 23 centres operated by a number of providers including: Avista CLG; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG; Cheshire Foundation in Ireland; Communicare Agency Ltd; Dundas Unlimited Company; Enable Ireland Disability Services Limited; GALRO Unlimited Company; Health Service Executive (HSE); Horizons; Nua Healthcare Services Limited; Peter Bradley Foundation CLG; Stewarts Care DAC; St John of God Community Services CLG; and Waterford Intellectual Disability Association CLG.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• Residents were supported to set and achieve meaningful personal goals, including using public transport and managing medication and finances at a centre in Dublin operated by Peter Bradley Foundation CLG.  From discussions with the residents and staff, and a review of residents’ documentation, there was clear evidence of progress towards achieving these meaningful goals. The level of practical support given by staff was based on the  assessed needs of the residents, with a focus on supporting them to maximise their independence.
• At a centre in Limerick operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, a resident had engaged a job coach, completed training courses in interview techniques and was offered a role on an interviewing panel for potential new employees. The resident said they were very proud of their achievement, enjoyed being involved in the process and had a list of questions which they deemed important to ask potential new staff.
• Residents enjoyed activities like going to the gym, woodwork, computer programming, horse riding, swimming, drawing and painting at a centre in Dublin operated by GALRO Unlimited Company. Residents were working towards their Gaisce Presidential awards and were part of 'Tidy Towns' every Sunday in their local community. The residents had also been celebrated for making a difference in their local community through their volunteering and had recently been nominated for the community awards.
   

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

Ongoing safeguarding incidents impacted upon residents’ welfare and rights at a centre operated by Sunbeam House Services CLG. In addition, the centre’s premises did not support residents’ living arrangements and improvement was required in staffing to meet residents’ needs.

Poor governance impacted upon residents at a centre operated by Horizons. The management of safeguarding incidents required improvement along with supports for residents’ recreational activities. At a centre operated by Dundas Unlimited Company, improvements were required in fire safety measures and supporting residents’ nutritional requirements.

The management of risks and condition of the premises required improvements at a centre operated by Muiríosa Foundation.

Finally, non-compliance was identified in two centres operated by St John of God Community Services CLG with improvements needed in residents’ personal plans and communication needs.