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 good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 12 centres operated by a number of providers including; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, Autism Initiatives Ireland CLG, Ability West, Carriglea Cáirde Services and Dara Residential Services.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Galway operated by Ability West, the inspector observed that residents enjoyed a good quality of life where their choices were respected. One resident spoke about their interest in home decoration which involved staff supporting them to visit home decor stores and purchasing items they liked. 
• Residents at a centre in Roscommon, operated by Brothers of Charity CLG, enjoyed a range of activities including knitting, gardening, painting and making Easter cards for their family. Some residents had taken part in a sunflower competition, while other residents had taken part in an event where they walked a 'Marathon in a month'.
• In a centre in Waterford operated by Carriglea Cáirde Services, one resident spoke about how they enjoyed the centre’s garden and was involved in cutting the grass using the centre's lawnmower. Residents also enjoyed a range of activities, with one resident being supported to go cycling and also sea-swimming at local beaches.

Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards on 17 inspections. 

Ten of the inspection reports on centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG identified non-compliance in a range of areas including; individual assessment and personal plan, healthcare, staffing, governance and management, complaints procedure, protection against infection, fire precautions, premises, residents' rights and protection. 

A high level of non-compliance was identified at three centres operated by the COPE Foundation. Areas of non-compliance included staffing, governance and management, personal plans, positive behavioural support, residents' rights and premises.

Three inspection reports on centres operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland identified non-compliance for staffing, governance and management, personal possessions, fire precautions, and medication management.

Finally, at one centre operated by CoAction West Cork CLG, non-compliance was recorded for premises and statement of purpose.

Read all reports at the link below.