Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 28 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 28 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 18 centres operated by a number of providers including: Ability West; An Breacadh Nua; Avista CLG; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG; Camphill Communities of Ireland; COPE Foundation; GALRO Unlimited Company; and Orchard Community Care Limited.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included: 

• At a centre in Galway operated by Ability West, residents had wanted to develop their own newsletter for their families. The newsletter contained photographs chosen by the residents and highlighted their activities during the year. The newsletter mentioned the centre’s new bus, and also summarised the findings of previous inspection reports. One resident spoke proudly of this newsletter and was very happy that they were able to give a copy to their family.
• Staff at a centre operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland in Kilkenny were observed supporting residents to carry out tasks in their homes as independently as possible. This included bringing laundry to the utility room, placing a plate in the sink, preparing food or arranging items in their personal rooms.
• At a centre in Sligo operated by Orchard Community Care Limited, staff said that human rights training had assisted and reminded them about the importance of using a person-centred and rights-based approach with residents. The inspector found that residents who had recently moved to the centre were supported by staff to find new opportunities to enrich their lives and to maximise their strengths and abilities, while enjoying settling into their new home.

Non-compliances that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents were identified in 10 other centres. 

Poor governance was identified at seven centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG. At four centres, poor management of safeguarding incidents and institutional practices was significantly impacting on residents’ welfare and living arrangements. Across the remaining three centres, improvements were needed in fire safety, staff training and residents’ personal plans. 

Poor governance was identified at two centres operated by Ability West. Improvements were needed in promoting and upholding residents’ rights and managing risks.

Finally, fire safety measures and management of residents’ personal possessions needed to be improved at a centre operated by Co Wexford Community Workshop (Enniscorthy) CLG.