Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 27 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 27 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 12 centres operated by a number of providers including; Ability West, Daughters of Charity, COPE Foundation, Cheeverstown House, GALRO, Health Service Executive and MMC Children’s Services.  

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Dublin operated by Cheeverstown House, residents were supported to keep in regular contact with their family and friends through the use of personal electronic devices.
• In a centre operated by the COPE Foundation in Cork one resident experienced positive benefits to their daily life since recently moving from a congregated setting.
• At a centre in Mullingar operated by GALRO, residents were supported to learn new skills and gain confidence in activities such as shopping in their local community. 

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 15 inspections. 

Inspectors found continued high levels of non-compliance with the regulations across a number of centres operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland. Given the seriousness of these findings, and the failure of the provider to demonstrate an ability to take action to improve the safety and quality of service for residents, the Chief Inspector issued a notice of proposed decision to refuse the registration of two of the centres.

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards in eight centres operated by the Daughters of Charity. Improvements were required in areas such as governance and management, staff training, personal planning, risk management and residents' rights.
Non-compliance was further identified at three other centres operated by KARE Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities, Enable Ireland Disability Services and Autism Initiatives Ireland. These centres were required to improve areas such as governance and management, positive behavioural support, residents' rights and fire safety.

Read all reports from the link below