Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 24 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 24 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 14 centres operated by a number of providers including: Redwood Extended Care Facility Unlimited Company; St Christopher's Services CLG; St John of God Community Services CLG; Stewarts Care DAC; Sunbeam House Services CLG; Talbot Care Unlimited Company; WALK CLG; and Waterford Intellectual Disability Association CLG.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Kildare operated by St John of God Community Services CLG, residents enjoyed a busy schedule and would regularly meet with friends in the community after work. One resident had a number of life-long friends that they had met through the local tidy towns group while another resident explained how they collect vintage model cars. The resident told the inspector that when their room was recently decorated, they decided to donate some of their vintage model cars to a local charity.
• A resident had tea with the inspector and talked about their recent birthday, during an inspection of a centre in Dublin operated by Stewarts Care DAC. The resident described their living arrangements by saying 'I'm happy here' and that the staff and the food are what they like most. The resident went on to describe their weekly routine and said that they go swimming and horse riding, attend the gym and usually get a takeaway on Fridays.
• At a centre in Cavan operated by Talbot Care Unlimited Company, two residents were highly complementary of the staff that worked in the centre and felt that they could report any concerns to the person in charge, team leaders or staff. Residents explained how they were involved in the running of their home. For example, the back garden had recently been upgraded and one of the residents told the inspector that they went shopping for the flowers which were planted in the garden and they were also aware that new furniture was being purchased for the back garden.

Non-compliance that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents was identified in 10 other centres.

Of these, five inspection reports have been published on designated centres operated by Western Care Association in Co. Mayo. Following receipt of information of concern regarding the care and support provided to residents and the overarching governance of the organisation, HIQA’s Chief Inspector of Social Services initiated a targeted inspection programme across a selected cohort of designated centres operated by the provider in May 2025. The targeted programme identified deficits in critical areas where improvements were required such as governance and management, risk management and positive behaviour support.

These findings were of significant concern to the Chief Inspector as Western Care Association has been subject to ongoing regulatory engagement with HIQA since March 2023, including through the submission of improvement plans and enhanced series of inspections. The findings of the recent inspections in May 2025 and other inspections of designated centres operated by the provider have resulted in a range of escalated actions such as the issuing of warning notices to further ensure improvements across the organisation. In addition, due to continued findings of significant concern, the registration of one designated centre was cancelled, and this centre is currently being operated by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Poor governance and safeguarding incidents impacted on residents at a centre operated by St Joseph's Foundation. In addition, improvements were required to support residents’ rights and dining arrangements.

Residents were impacted by poor governance and safeguarding incidents at a centre operated by St Michael's House. Residents’ living arrangements also required improvement.

Poor governance at a centre operated by the Cheshire Foundation in Ireland undermined the care being provided to residents. Improvements were required in staffing and in meeting residents’ nutritional needs.

Finally, improvements were required in areas such as management of residents’ healthcare, medications, and staffing to support their needs across two centres operated by Stewarts Care DAC.