Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 24 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 24 inspections, inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 12 centres operated by a number of providers including: Ability West; Avista CLG; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG; and Camphill Communities of Ireland.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

•  At a centre in Galway operated by Ability West, residents spoke about how they enjoyed a variety of activities such as music concerts, hotel breaks, going to the cinema, discos, shopping trips and regularly dining out. Residents spoke about how they frequently joined together to celebrate events including birthday parties, summer barbeques, and afternoon tea parties.
•  At a centre in Wexford operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, a resident used Irish Sign Language (ISL) as their preferred method of communication. The resident expressed that they were supported to develop their independence and hoped to move to another centre. They were excited about the move and said how happy they were that they had been central to making this decision.
• At a centre operated by Avista CLG in Tipperary, residents were actively involved in decisions about the care they received as well as the running of their home. For example, each resident, prior to moving to the centre, had a transition plan to support them.

Non-compliances that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents were identified in 12 other centres.

At one centre operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, poor staffing and living arrangements meant the provider was not safeguarding residents adequately. In two other centres operated by this provider, improvements were needed in fire safety and residents’ personal plans.

Poor governance was identified at three centres operated by Avista CLG. Improvements were needed in managing risks for residents, staffing and residents’ personal and dietary needs.



Inspectors identified instances of poor governance at two centres operated by Ability West. Improvements were needed in areas such as staffing and management of medications to ensure residents’ needs were being met.



Two reports published on centres operated by COPE Foundation identified that improvements were needed in residents’ privacy, healthcare needs and in measures to protect against infection.



Poor governance was identified at a centre operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland. Better staffing arrangements were needed to ensure residents’ needs were being met.



Finally, the impact of restrictive practices on residents required improvement at a centre operated by Carriglea Cáirde Services.