Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 23 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 23 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 12 centres operated by a number of providers including: Embrace Community Services Ltd; GALRO Unlimited Company; Gateway Community Care Limited; Health Service Executive (HSE); Lotus Care Limited and MyLife by Estrela Hall Limited.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Kildare operated by GALRO Unlimited Company, residents enjoyed a good-sized garden which was adapted to their needs including a basket swing, trampoline, goal post, basketball hoop and table and chairs for outdoor dining. In addition, residents had access to a small secret garden area with numerous potted plants and a raised herb bed.
• At a centre in Mayo operated by Orchard Community Care Limited (formerly Gateway Community Care Limited), a resident’s parent spoke about how supportive and responsive staff were to the needs of their relative. In addition, staff were always in contact with the relative if any changes or additional activities were being considered or requested by the resident.
• At a HSE-operated centre in Sligo, residents enjoyed taking part in everyday community activities such as visiting the hairdresser, barber and beautician, eating out in restaurants, shopping and other activities. On the afternoon of the inspection a resident attended a dog therapy session which they were looking forward to. Another resident went out for their weekly reflexology session with staff which they enjoyed.

Non-compliances that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents were identified in 11 other centres.

Poor governance was identified at two centres operated by KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Improvements were needed in staff training, medication management, fire safety and measures to protect against infection to ensure residents’ needs were being met.



Poor fire safety measures and the condition of the premises increased risks to residents at a centre operated by Gheel Autism Services CLG.



Poor governance was identified at four centres operated by the HSE. Improvements were needed in staffing, fire safety, governance and management and staff development to ensure that residents’ needs were being met.



At a centre operated by Kerry Parents and Friends Association, poor governance and management issues were identified and residents’ opportunities and choices were not promoted.



Insufficient staffing meant residents were not adequately supported at a centre operated by Kingsriver Community Holdings CLG. The poor condition of the premises was identified during an inspection of a centre operated by L'Arche Ireland.



Finally, insufficient staffing had impacted on residents’ activities and their development at a centre operated by Muiríosa Foundation.