Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 26 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 26 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 19 centres operated by a number of providers including: Nua Healthcare Services Limited; Peamount Healthcare; Resilience Healthcare Limited; S O S Kilkenny CLG; Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny)/trading as Aurora-Enriching Lives, Enriching Communities; St Hilda's Services; St John of God Community Services CLG; St Michael's House; Stewarts Care DAC; Sunbeam House Services CLG; Talbot Care Unlimited Company and Western Care Association.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included: 

• At a centre in Kilkenny operated by Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny)/trading as Aurora-Enriching Lives, Enriching Communities, residents were supported to try different activities. Some residents enjoyed sound therapy, while one resident attended poetry readings and another had attended horse racing. Their communication supports were very effective and residents used photographs and symbol-supported information to share their experiences with the inspector. 
• Residents at a centre operated by St Hilda's Services in Westmeath had an abundance of arts and crafts materials, jigsaws and games to enjoy. The inspector observed the house to be comfortable, tidy and nicely decorated and there was a large colourful fish tank on display upon entering the centre.  
• At a centre in Dublin operated by St Michael's House, staff had completed training in human rights which was evident during the inspection. One resident who had previously chosen to retire from day services, was now being supported by staff to choose their own routine and to participate in activities in line with their likes and interests.

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

Poor governance was identified at two centres operated by Sunbeam House Services CLG. At one centre, the management of safeguarding incidents required improvement to minimise the impact on residents. Fire safety measures required improvement at the other centre.  

Poor management of risks and ongoing institutional practices impacted on residents at a centre operated by Western Care Association.

The management of staffing and residents’ records required improvement to ensure residents’ needs were met at a centre operated by Peamount Healthcare.  

At a centre operated by Nua Healthcare Services Limited, improvements were needed in fire safety and the premises to ensure residents’ needs were met. 

The management of residents’ personal finances required improvement at a centre operated by Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny)/trading as Aurora- Enriching Lives, Enriching Communities.

Finally, fire safety measures needed to be improved to protect residents at a centre operated by Three Steps Limited.