Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 32 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 32 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 22 centres, including in centres operated by KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities; Muiríosa Foundation; Nua Healthcare Services Limited; Praxis Care; RehabCare; Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny); St Aidan's Day Care Centre Company Limited; St John of God Community Services Company Limited; St. Paul's Child and Family Care Centre Designated Activity Company and Sunbeam House Services.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

In a KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities centre in Kildare, residents were supported with their sporting interests. With some residents training to compete in Olympic events, such as running and golf. The provider also hosted live streamed exercise classes which residents told the inspector they enjoyed.

Residents using a St. Paul's Child and Family Care Centre in Dublin for respite breaks had their own preferred room for each stay, with personal items such as their favourite duvet cover and pillowcases to help them feel at home.

In a Praxis Care centre in Meath, during COVID-19 restrictions residents had created scrapbooks about the activities they had been involved in. For example, residents had been hill walking and dog walking and had also been keeping themselves busy with jigsaw puzzles, baking, relaxing in the electric massage chair, and arts and crafts. Residents had also enjoyed outdoor activities, such as barbecues and a treasure hunt in the centre’s garden.

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 10 inspections. 

An inspection of an MMC Children’s Services centre found the need for improvements in medication management practices.

Inspectors found non-compliance in two Muiríosa Foundation centres. In one centre, residents' healthcare needs were not being fully met. In the other centre, governance and management arrangements had not ensured that appropriate staffing and safeguarding arrangements were in place to meet residents’ needs.

An inspection of a Stewarts Care Adult Services centre found that governance and management arrangements did not ensure that the service provided was safe,     appropriate to residents' needs and effectively monitored.

In a St Hilda’s Services centre, improvement was required in the overall systems for identifying and managing risks to residents.

In a St John of God Community Services centre, improvements were required to the centre’s premises.

Inspectors found non-compliance in two Sunbeam House Services centres. Both centres required improvements to ensure that the premises were homely and that residents’ needs were being met. In one centre, provider improvements were required in safeguarding arrangements to reduce the frequency of behavioural incidents.