The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today 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 and respite services for people with disabilities in Ireland. 

Inspections found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 18 centres, including centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland, Carriglea Cáirde Services, Ability West, Asperger Syndrome Association of Ireland, and ChildVision. In these centres, the provider was ensuring a good standard of care and quality of life to residents at the time of inspection. However, non-compliance with regulations and standards was found in four inspections.

Inspections of 11 centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland found that 10 centres were meeting the needs of residents in line with the regulations and standards. In a follow-up inspection of one Brothers of Charity centre following a notice of proposal to cancel its registration, inspectors found that, while improvements were still required, the provider had taken positive steps towards improving the experience of residents living in the centre.

Inspections of four centres operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland found that two centres were compliant with the regulations and standards. Improvements were required in the other two centres in areas such as staffing, governance and management, and individual assessment and personal plans.

In an inspection of a centre operated by the COPE Foundation, inspectors found that, while improvements had been made in relation to staffing, the provider did not have the capacity to deliver a safe service to all residents. In addition, one dwelling was not suitable to meet the needs of a child resident; and some restrictive practices were not properly recorded.