Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 23 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 23 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 12 centres operated by a number of providers including; St Michael’s House, St Joseph’s Foundation, Western Care Association and Sunbeam House Services.



Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• At a centre in Dublin operated by St Michael’s House, residents’ day services had been suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions. In response staff had a range of activity options in place which reflected the residents’ interests and needs. Residents enjoyed going on walks and trips to the local beach, as well as activities such as cooking, music and gardening when at the centre.
• One resident in a centre operated by the Western Care Association in Mayo spoke about how staff had organised their birthday celebrations in the centre’s garden due to COVID-19 restrictions, and how great it was to see their family.
• At a centre in Cork operated by St Joseph's Foundation, residents proudly displayed their certificates from a completed education course and told the inspector about the next steps they needed to take to get a job in their community.

HIQA has published six inspection reports operated by St. Michael’s House where non-compliance was identified. In five of these centres, improvements were required in the areas such as governance and management, staffing and training. In one St Michael’s House centre, the provider received a written warning with regard to failing to provide required information to the inspector.



Inspectors identified non-compliance with the regulations and standards in five other designated centres operated by Stewarts Care and Sunbeam House Services. These centres were required to make improvements in areas such as governance and management, safeguarding of residents, premises, the management of complaints and fire safety arrangements.