Disability services publication statement 22 April 2021

Date of publication:

Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 25 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 25 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 17 centres, including in centres operated by Ability West; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG; Cheeverstown House CLG; Co Wexford Community Workshop (Enniscorthy) CLG; Dundas Unlimited Company; Health Service Executive; KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities and L'Arche Ireland - Kilkenny Lion De.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

  • In a Cheeverstown House CLG in Dublin, a social media page allowed residents to participate in activities via live video link. There were competitions on the page and residents in one house, with the support of their staff, informed the inspector that they had won a cake baking competition. The inspector observed residents smiling and appearing happy about their achievement.
  • Residents in a L'Arche Ireland centre in Kilkenny, were observed returning from a trip to buy vegetable seeds. There was a polytunnel in the centre in which to grow these seeds and a spacious garden area which was also suitable for growing plants. This activity was reported as having increased residents' involvement in the day-to-day running of the centre.
  • In a KARE Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities centre in Wicklow, a weekly activity schedule was in place and led by each of the residents. Examples of activities that residents participated in included cooking, walks to local scenic areas, arts and crafts, board games, yoga and listening to music.

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on eight inspections. 

Inspectors found non-compliance in two Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services centres. In one centre, the provider needed to improve governance and management oversight in a range of areas and ensure residents' rights were respected. In the other centre, improvements were required to ensure fire safety practices were effective. 

Non-compliance was identified in inspections of two HSE centres. The inspector found that the infection prevention and control practices relating to the management of possible COVID-19 outbreaks needed immediate improvement. In the other centre, institutionalised care practices impacted on residents’ dignity and the premises did not meet their mobility needs. 

An inspection of a Brothers of Charity Services CLG centre found that written agreements on the provision of services did not convey that access to respite care would be impacted upon in the event of extended emergency placements at the centre.

A centre operated by the COPE Foundation required improvements to its governance and management arrangements, as well as safeguarding procedures.

An inspection of a GALRO Unlimited centre found that improvements were required to ensure that safe administration of medication arrangements were in place.

In a Lorrequer House centre, improvements were required to arrangements to protect residents from the risk of fire. 

Read all reports at www.hiqa.ie.

  • Reports published 22 April 2021

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