Disability services publication statement 29 January 2025
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 generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 16 centres operated by a number of providers including: Ability West; Avista CLG; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG; Dundas Unlimited Company; Embrace Community Services Ltd; Enable Ireland Disability Services Limited; Health Service Executive (HSE); St John of God Community Services CLG; and Talbot Care Unlimited Company.
Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:
- At a centre in Roscommon operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, residents had choice and control of their lives with person-centred goals such as getting paid employment, making window boxes and growing vegetables. Each resident had one-to-one staff and independent transport available to them which supported their activities.
- Residents were supported by staff to develop their interests at a centre in Meath operated by Dundas Unlimited Company. One resident who liked history was supported to visit a war museum and a coin fair. Other residents who liked music and concerts were supported to attend an inclusive music and arts festival, a pop concert and go to the circus.
- A HSE-operated centre in Sligo was designed to be fully accessible to all residents, and to meet residents’ potential needs into the future. Residents’ preferences had also been considered in the design of the house. For example, all bedrooms and the main bathroom had tracking hoists in the ceiling. Space in the rooms and hallway was large enough to accommodate larger wheelchairs. Wardrobes had been fitted with pull-down rails to allow residents to access their clothes independently.
Non-compliances that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents were identified in nine other centres.
Poor governance impacted on the safety of residents at a centre operated by St Michael’s House. Improvements were required in management of safeguarding incidents and in residents’ personal support plans.
Poor governance was identified at three centres operated by the HSE. At one centre, residents were not adequately supported to engage in activities and access the community. In the remaining two centres, immediate action was needed to improve fire safety measures and to improve the condition of the premises.
At a centre operated by the St Joseph's Foundation, improvements were required in residents’ safeguarding plans and in staff training and supervision. Residents’ living arrangements required improvement at a centre operated by Dara Residential Services. Poor governance was identified at two centres operated by Horizons. Improvements were required in staffing and residents’ contracts to meet their needs.
Finally, improvements were required in overall governance and staffing at a centre operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland.