Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 29 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 29 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 21 centres operated by a number of providers including: Health Service Executive (HSE); KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities; Lotus Care Limited; and Muiríosa Foundation.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included: 

• At a centre in Sligo operated by the HSE, recent human rights training had assisted staff to promote residents’ individual rights. For example, if residents chose to stay at home, they would be offered a choice of activities such as baking, to complete at home instead. The inspector observed that the dignity of each resident was promoted.
• At a centre operated by KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities in Kildare, a resident participated in a large number of external advocacy groups and ensured information was shared among residents and staff. The resident had also been supported to continue their education, and had completed a number of college courses to receive a Quality and Qualification (QQI) Award.
• At a centre in Kildare operated by Muiríosa Foundation, residents' bedrooms were decorated in line with their personal preferences, such as displaying movie characters or pictures of animals, and choosing the colour schemes. One resident who loved birds and was a member of Bird Watching Ireland, had a bird feeder located outside their bedroom window so they could enjoy and encourage bird sightings at their home.
• At a children’s service operated by Lotus Care Limited, inspectors found a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the centre. A number of young people told the inspector that they were happy, well supported and cared for, and that they felt safe in their home. 

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

Poor governance meant residents’ needs were not being met a centre operated by the HSE. Improvements were needed to ensure the rights of all residents were respected and in residents’ personal plans.

Poor governance was identified at five centres operated by KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Across these centres, improvements were needed in residents’ living arrangements, safeguarding incidents and the management of risks.

Finally, better staffing arrangements were required to meet residents’ needs at two centres operated by the Muiríosa Foundation.