Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 24 inspection reports on designated centres for people with disabilities. 

Inspection reports have been published on centres operated by: St John of God Community Services CLG; St Michael's House; Talbot Care Unlimited Company; The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland; The Rehab Group; Three Steps Limited; and Waterford Intellectual Disability Association CLG.

Inspectors found good practice in many of the centres inspected, including:

• At a centre in Wicklow operated by Talbot Care Unlimited Company, the inspector read eight compliments from residents' families made in March and April 2026 that complimented the staff team and how they supported residents to communicate and develop their life skills. Two surveys completed by family members also praised the staff team and how residents' autonomy and independence was promoted in the centre.
• Residents had completed satisfaction questionnaires prior to an inspection of a centre in Tipperary operated by the Rehab Group. In general, feedback in these was positive and residents reported feeling happy living in the centre and satisfied with areas such as their home, mealtimes, the staff and living with peers. Residents’ comments included: ''I like my room'', ''I am happy going out'' and ''I get on with the people I live with most of the time''.

Some centres were required to make improvements to enable the best possible outcomes for residents. Providers of these centres submitted compliance plans outlining the changes they will make following the inspection. These included:

• Following an initial inspection in November 2025, the Chief Inspector of Social Services issued a notice of proposed decision to cancel the registration of a centre operated by Three Steps Limited due to significant concerns over the quality and safety of care provided for young residents. The provider had demonstrated poor governance and oversight of the centre across several regulations. An urgent action was issued to the provider during the inspection due to the extremely poor state of cleanliness and maintenance of the premises and fire safety concerns. A follow-up inspection of this centre in March 2026 found improvements by the provider, however further measures were needed in fire safety. The provider remains subject to regulatory oversight by the Chief Inspector.
• Residents continued to be impacted negatively by ongoing safeguarding incidents at a centre operated by St Michael's House. Prior to the inspection, the provider was required to attend an escalation meeting with the Chief Inspector. While some improvements had been made, the provider had not protected residents from all forms of abuse. In response, the provider undertook to explore alternative service and accommodation options for residents. During the inspection, staff were observed engaging kindly with residents, and residents appeared comfortable and familiar with staff supporting them.
• Immediate actions were issued to the Cheshire Foundation in Ireland to address poor governance and oversight of a centre and fire containment and evacuation of residents. In response, the provider appointed a person in charge to provide oversight of the centre and to ensure staff participated in fire safety drills.

Editor’s notes:

• 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.