Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 22 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 22 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 13 centres operated by a number of providers including: Praxis Care; Redwood Neurobehavioural Services Unlimited Company; Resilience Healthcare Limited; Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny)/trading as Aurora-Enriching Lives, Enriching Communities; St Aidan’s Services; St Hilda's Services; St John of God Community Services CLG; St Michael's House; Talbot Care Unlimited Company; The Rehab Group and Western Care Association.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• Residents’ questionnaires reflected high levels of satisfaction and lots of positive feedback with the respite service during an inspection of a centre in Wexford operated by St Aidan’s Services. Comments included ‘'I would like to come back again'' and ''It's the best holiday''. One resident said ''Respite is very relaxing'' and ''it's beautiful'' while another service user was happy with their meals in respite and wrote ''food is very good''.
• At a centre in Westmeath operated by St Hilda’s Services, the provider had organised a family day. This day was to strengthen resident and family connections through shared activities and experiences. It also showcased some of the activities that residents liked to engage in when on their respite breaks at the centre. The inspector saw pictures of family members and residents enjoying the day including pictures of residents baking, playing games, using the centre’s relaxation area and chatting with the staff and friends. One family member commented on how successful the day was and was very complimentary of the provider for organising the event.
• A resident who had recently moved to a centre provided feedback during an inspection of a centre in Meath operated by Talbot Care Unlimited Company. The resident said that they loved living there, liked being able to do their own laundry, liked shopping for groceries and had recently started a new job where they were responsible for managing recycling in the centre.
   

Non-compliance that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents was identified in nine other centres.
Poor governance impacted upon residents at a centre operated by Lotus Care Limited. Due to the level of safeguarding concerns identified, the Chief Inspector informed The Child and Family Agency (Tusla) immediately after inspection. In addition, an urgent action was issued to the provider to address safety concerns over residents’ medications. Immediate actions were also issued to address food safety concerns, measures to protect residents from infection and potential risks impacting on residents.

Poor governance impacted upon residents at a centre operated by Sunbeam House Services CLG. Residents expressed dissatisfaction due to ongoing safeguarding incidents which required better management by the provider. In addition, improvements were required in staffing and meeting residents’ rights.

Poor governance impacted upon residents at a centre operated by The Rehab Group. The provider had not mitigated a specific risk for a resident. In addition, improvements were required in residents’ personal plans, communication, staffing and oversight of safeguarding.

At a centre operated by St John of God Community Services CLG, significant concerns were raised over the use of residents’ personal finances in an inappropriate manner.

At a centre operated by The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland, improvements were required in residents’ contracts, personal plans and communication needs. A review was required on the impact of some practices upon residents and their rights and in managing their healthcare assessments.

Improvements were required in managing risks and safeguarding assessments for residents at a centre operated by Orchard Community Care Limited.

At two centres operated by Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny)/trading as Aurora-Enriching Lives, Enriching Communities, improvement was required in the oversight of residents’ finances.

Finally, improvements were required in the management of residents’ personal plans and staff training at a centre operated by St Hilda's Services.