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; Autism Initiatives Ireland CLG; Avista CLG; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG; ChildVision CLG; Dara Residential Services; Dundas Unlimited Company; Enable Ireland Disability Services Limited; Health Service Executive (HSE); and Horizons.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included: 
 

• At a centre in Dublin operated by Avista CLG, staff had completed human rights training. Staff spoke about how residents were treated with dignity and respect and observed that staff interactions with residents followed these principles. Staff also spoke about providing education to residents on their human rights, including a human-rights themed poster displayed in the centre’s sitting room.
• A resident chatted positively about their part-time job, weekly volunteer work and activities they enjoyed such as Zumba classes, family contact and outings during an inspection of a centre in Clare operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG. Another resident also told the inspector about their two part-time jobs, plans to go to a local disco to meet up with friends and a forthcoming trip to Liverpool.
• At a HSE-operated centre in Mayo, a resident was delighted to tell the inspector about their goal to go on holiday to Lanzarote and the plans they had to make this happen. Staff had helped the resident to apply for a passport and were eagerly awaiting its arrival. The resident also explained that they liked politics and voted in the last election and planned to do so at the next election. 
   

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

Poor governance impacted on the safety of residents at a centre operated by Ability West. Two urgent actions were issued to the provider to improve both staffing and the management of risks to protect residents. In addition, improvements were needed in the centre’s premises and residents’ personal plans.

At a centre operated by the COPE Foundation, improvements were required in the management of medications and the premises. 

Poor governance at a centre operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland impacted on residents’ healthcare and communication needs being met.

At two centres operated by Brothers of Charity Services Ireland CLG, poor governance impacted upon residents. Improvements were required in the management of restrictive practices, safeguarding incidents and risks. For one of these centres, a notice of proposed decision to cancel the registration was issued to the provider. Poor governance was identified at three centres operated by the HSE. Across these centres, improvements were needed in fire safety measures, staffing and premises. Improvements were required in residents’ personal plans at a centre operated by Avista CLG. 

Finally, improvements were required in the management of residents’ medications and written policies to support residents at a centre operated by Autism Spectrum Association Of Ireland CLG.