Disability services publication statement 7 June 2022

Date of publication:

Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 21 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 21 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 16 centres operated by a number of providers including; L'Arche Ireland, Muiríosa Foundation, Nua Healthcare Services Limited, Peacehaven Trust CLG, Praxis Care, RehabCare, Resilience Healthcare Limited, and St Hilda's Services.

Examples of good practice observed by nspectors included:

  • At a centre in Dublin operated by L'Arche Ireland, residents spoke about the activities they enjoyed and especially trips abroad and plans for future holidays. Residents also spoke about how their independence was important to them and how they hoped to live independently in the future.
  • At a centre in Westmeath operated by Nua Healthcare Services Limited, support provided by staff was effective in improving residents’ wellbeing and enabled them to feel happy and safe in their home. Residents were supported to live independent lives and enjoyed activities, such as garden maintenance and woodcrafts, with one resident developing their own computer game studio. 
  • At a centre operated by Resilience Healthcare Limited in Wexford, residents were supported to have an active role in the running of their home through being kept updated on any changes through regular house meetings. Residents enjoyed a range of activities and were supported to personalise their bedrooms in line with their interests and tastes. 

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

Two inspection reports have been published on centres operated by Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny). A high level of non-compliance was identified at one centre in areas such governance, personal possessions, notifications and risk management. Similarly, another centre operated by this provider required improvements in fire safety, risk management and governance and management.

An inspection report on a centre operated by RehabCare found that improvement was required in fire safety arrangements. An urgent action was issued to the Muiríosa Foundation in order to ensure the effectiveness of the centre’s night-time fire evacuation. Similarly, a centre operated by Praxis Care were also required to make improvements in fire evacuation measures.

Read all reports at the link below.

  • Reports published Tuesday 7 June 2022

    Download