The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published 21 reports on residential services 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 across all disability services in Ireland.

Fifteen of today’s reports show that the service being provided to residents had a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards. These included inspections in centres operated by Carriglea Cairde, Co Wexford Community Workshop, Gateway Organisation, Nua Healthcare, Resilience Healthcare and St Joseph’s Foundation.

Inspections in two centres operated by The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland found inadequate governance and management arrangements and the provider was failing to address issues from previous inspections. The issues identified were negatively impacting on the quality of life of residents living in these centres.

Eleven reports relate to centres where care is provided by Brothers of Charity. Nine centres were generally meeting residents’ care and welfare needs. However, inspections in two centres for residents with high-support needs found that insufficient staffing levels meant there was not enough staff to meet the personal care needs of residents.

Reports on two St John of God centres have also been published. Inspectors found that one centre was operating in compliance with the regulations and standards. However, another centre, comprising a house in the community, offered limited opportunities for residents to access activities in line with their interests and wishes.