Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 30 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 30 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 18 centres operated by a number of providers including: Embrace Community Services Ltd; GALRO Unlimited Company; Health Service Executive (HSE); KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities; Kerry Parents and Friends Association; Peter Bradley Foundation CLG and Resilience Healthcare Limited.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included: 

• At a centre in Sligo operated by the HSE, residents said that they had regular contact with their family members through telephone calls, family visits and visits home. Residents were supported to be actively involved in their communities with activities such as drama classes, dance classes and trips for coffee and dinner.
• At a centre in Kildare operated by KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities, staff completed compatibility assessments prior to respite stays so that each resident would benefit from a respite stay with individuals that enjoyed similar interests. Inspectors saw that visual aids, schedules and choice boards were on display throughout the centre in order to promote residents’ individual communication choices.
• At a centre in Westmeath operated by GALRO Unlimited Company, staff were supported to advocate for residents after receiving training in human rights. Staff said they used this training to speak up on behalf of residents when they engaged with the local community.

Inspectors identified poor levels of compliance with the regulations and standards in 12 other centres.

Poor governance at three centres operated by COPE Foundation undermined the provider’s ability to meet residents’ needs. Improvements were needed in managing safeguarding incidents, staffing and training and the suitability of the premises for residents. 

Safeguarding incidents and inadequate personal plans impacted residents at a centre operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG.

Poor governance was identified in four centres operated by Avista CLG. Poor management of staff, resources, and medications impacted negatively on residents.

Inspectors identified instances of poor governance at two centres operated by CoAction West Cork CLG. Residents’ needs were not being met while improvements were needed in fire safety, staffing, and the premises. 

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