14 September 2026: The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published its Resident Forums Report 2025, which captures the experiences, views and priorities of residents of services for people with disabilities across Ireland.

The report is based on discussions with 115 residents from eight different service providers who participated in 13 resident forums held across nine counties. The forums provided residents with an opportunity to discuss their rights, their knowledge of HIQA, their experiences of inspections and ways to improve the inspection process.

HIQA’s Interim Deputy Chief Inspector of Social Services, Ciara McShane, said:

“Resident forums are an important opportunity for us to hear directly from people about their lived experiences and what matters most to them. The feedback we receive helps us strengthen our regulatory approach and ensure residents' voices remain central to our work.

“Residents highlighted the importance of accessible information, privacy, choice and meaningful engagement during inspections. We also heard a desire for more opportunities to learn about HIQA's work and spend more time speaking with inspectors.”

Residents welcomed a number of initiatives introduced by HIQA in response to feedback from previous forums, including the development of accessible resources designed to support resident engagement. Participants also highlighted the value of receiving HIQA's 'Nice to Meet You' information and details about inspectors ahead of announced inspections, helping them feel more informed and comfortable about the inspection process.

Through the forums, residents spoke positively about their experiences with HIQA inspections, valuing the opportunity to speak openly about their lives and the

supports they receive with inspectors. This feedback underscored the importance of meaningful engagement, clear communication and ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to have their voice heard throughout the inspection process.

Ciara McShane, continued:

“We are committed to acting on the valuable feedback received during our forums and ensuring it leads to meaningful improvements in how we communicate and engage with residents. Listening to and learning from residents helps us strengthen our approach, build trust and ensure our work reflects the experiences, rights and preferences of everyone who uses services. I would like to thank all of the residents who took part in the forums and shared their views and experiences with us.”

HIQA will continue to engage with residents throughout 2026 to hear their views and help shape future improvements.

ENDS

Notes:

• HIQA regulates designated centres for people with disabilities against the Health Act 2007 (as amended), associated regulations and nationally mandated standards. Regulation sets the minimum level of service a person can expect to receive.
• In 2025, there were over 9,480 residential places available to adults and children with disabilities across 1,745 residential services in Ireland.
• HIQA completed 1,191 inspections of residential disability services, equating to 1,598 inspection days, during 2025. This included 196 inspections with a specific focus on adult safeguarding.

About HIQA

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is the independent body that promotes safety and quality in the provision of health and social care services in Ireland.

HIQA works to enable the best possible health and social care outcomes for all through standard setting, monitoring and regulating services and providing evidence to inform decision-making.