Today, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published 27 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 27 inspections, inspectors found a good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 18 centres, including in centres operated by Ability West; An Breacadh Nua; St Christopher’s Services Company; Brothers of Charity Services Ireland; CoAction West Cork; Communicare Agency Ltd; COPE Foundation; Dundas Unlimited Company; GALRO Unlimited; Health Service Executive; KARE, Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities; and Kerry Parents and Friends Association.

Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included:

• In a GALRO Unlimited centre in Westmeath, residents made decisions about the care and support they received as well as the running of the centre. Residents communicated their choices and wishes through a variety of communication methods, such as picture references and sign language, as well as with the support of their families, who acted as advocates. 
• Residents in a Communicare Agency centre in Mayo were supported to enjoy a good quality of care when attending for respite. For example, a resident was supported to enjoy music and dance and also to complete their daily exercise programme, which helped them to improve their mobility.
•  In a CoAction West Cork centre, residents were consulted in the running of their home and their views were both respected and upheld. While giving the inspector a tour of their home, one resident spoke about what they liked in the centre, such as making cakes with staff and going out for drives in the community.

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

Following a series of poor inspection findings in centres operated by Camphill Communities of Ireland in 2020, the registered provider was required to submit a comprehensive national improvement plan. The inspection report published today formed part of HIQA’s ongoing monitoring programme of the provider. While the provider is in the process of implementing their improvement plan, inspectors continued to find non-compliance in areas such as governance and management, training and staff development and premises. 

Three centres operated by the Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services required improvements to strengthen governance and management procedures. In one of the centres, there had been an increase in the number of allegations of abuse and it was not evident that each resident’s care and support needs could be met and that safeguarding plans were fully effective.

Inspectors found non-compliance in two HSE centres. Both centres required improvements to ensure residents were kept safe and that supports provided were appropriate to their needs. 

Non-compliance was identified in inspections of three COPE Foundation centres. Improvements to governance and management arrangements were required to ensure the centres were adequately resourced and that the supports provided reflected the current needs of the residents.

Read all reports at www.hiqa.ie.