News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

Fifteen separated children are reported to have gone missing last year and are still unaccounted for (Stock image)

Fear missing children could be victims of exploitation

The Children's Rights Alliance has said there is a "real fear" that some missing children in the care of the State could be victims of exploitation.

Ireland • 24 Jul 23

Inspections of children's services by HIQA last year found that providers faced 'significant and increasing challenges'

HIQA: Children's services face 'significant challenges'

The lack of appropriate alternative placements for children in care requires a national strategic approach, according to the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Ireland • 19 Jul 23

Placements with Orchard Fostering Service are commissioned by Tusla

Foster provider promotes children's rights - HIQA

A report published by the Health Information and Quality Authority into an independent private provider of foster care, has found that children's rights there were now being promoted at every level of the service.

Ireland • 29 Jun 23

Inspectors found that not all residents living in the designated centre experienced a good quality of life and 'incidents' were not appropriately managed in line with safeguarding policy (stock image)

'Unexplained bruises' on people at HSE-run home - HIQA

Residents at a HSE-run nursing home in the northwest had "unexplained bruises" during a recent inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Ireland • 17 May 23

HIQA undertook a review of all HSE centres in Donegal

Issues at some northwest HSE disability services - HIQA

The Health Information and Quality Authority has identified issues at a number of HSE run disability services in the northwest according to its latest inspection reports.

Ireland • 12 Apr 23

Inspectors made an unannounced visit to the centre in November

Residents say living 'in fear' at disability centre

Residents at a designated centre for people with disabilities were found to be living in "fear and stress" when the Health Information and Quality Authority conducted an inspection of their accommodation late last year.

Ireland • 15 Mar 23

At one centre, management systems did not adequately ensure the service provided was safe, appropriate to the residents' needs and effectively monitored, at all times

Improvements needed in three disability services - HIQA

Inspections by the Health Inspection and Quality Authority (HIQA) during the summer highlighted a need for improved measures in three disability services run by Sunbeam House Services CLG to protect residents.

Ireland • 12 Oct 22

HIQA inspections found some non-compliance in some nursing homes (stock image)

Issues around staffing at some nursing homes - HIQA

HIQA has published 45 inspection reports on residential centres for older people in which it found that 15 centres were either fully or substantially compliant with regulations.

Regional • 18 Aug 22

In one case, an inspection carried out by HIQA found that a child sexual abuse case had been waiting 11 months for an initial assessment

11-month assessment wait for child sexual abuse case

A report into child protection and welfare services provided by Tusla in the Louth-Meath area has found there were delays in responding to the needs of children and families and that measures to address these delays were not effective.

Ireland • 16 Aug 22

In an overview report on disability services for 2021, HIQA said improvement was needed in disability services' governance

Three safeguarding concerns referred to HSE in 2021

Three safeguarding concerns identified by HIQA inspectors in centres for people with disabilities were referred to the HSE's National Safeguarding Office last year.

Ireland • 08 Aug 22

An inspection report of foster care in the north city area of Dublin showed there were at least 63 children overdue a statutory visit at the end of March this year

63 children in care were overdue Tusla visit - review

A child in Tusla's foster care service was not visited by a social worker for over three years, according to the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Dublin • 04 Aug 22

HIQA: Delay in abuse claim inquiry at HSE-run centre

An investigation into an allegation of abuse at a HSE-run centre for people with disabilities had not commenced when HIQA inspected the facility 11 months later.

Ireland • 03 Aug 22

The report outlines how the inspectors took the 'unusual but necessary step' of returning for a second day of inspection

Faecal matter found on sheets at disability centre

A proposed notice to cancel the registration of a community residential centre for people with disabilities has been issued by HIQA to its operator after faecal matter was found on bedsheets, in bathrooms and on toilet seats during an unannounced inspection in February.

Ireland • 26 May 22

Inspections followed publication of the Brandon Report Executive Summary

Concern over future safeguarding of disability services

Failure to address poor governance and oversight arrangements in HSE Disability Services in the northwest could lead to safeguarding issues in the future, according to HIQA.

Ireland • 29 Apr 22

Residents' right to privacy at Leopardstown Park Hospital was limited (stock image)

Dignity of nursing home residents 'compromised' - HIQA

The privacy and dignity of residents at a nursing home in Dublin was found to be "severely compromised" during a HIQA inspection of the premises in November.

Ireland • 26 Apr 22

At a HSE run centre in Co Meath, inspectors found residents were not fully protected against any possibilities of abuse (File image)

Improvements needed to protect residents - HIQA

Inspections by HIQA last year found that improvements were needed to protect residents from the risk of abuse at two designated centres for people with disabilities.

Ireland • 08 Apr 22

Residents in one centre were described as being 'very scared, anxious, frightened and in need of reassurance'

HIQA finds safeguarding issues at disability centres

HIQA has found safeguarding issues at a number of disability centres run by the Brothers of Charity Services in Limerick.

Ireland • 03 Mar 22

Senior HIQA staff questioned the HSE's fitness to provide services to people with disabilities in the northwest

Concerns over HSE management of NW disability services

The Health Service Executive's fitness as a registered provider of centres for people with disabilities has been questioned by the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Ireland • 15 Feb 22

Designated Centre 28 run by Stewarts provides full time residential services to men with intellectual disabilities and high support needs

Failings reported at Dublin disability service

A HIQA inspection of a residential service for people with disabilities in Dublin found it failed to ensure residents were protected from all forms of abuse.

Ireland • 08 Feb 22

HIQA says the current homecare system is unsustainable

HIQA calls for overhaul of homecare services

The Health Information and Quality Authority has called for complete overhaul of homecare services, including the introduction of regulation.

Ireland • 15 Dec 21

The HIQA statement follows a review of governance arrangements at the hospital, the Saolta Group and national HSE level

Governance issues remain at LUH gynaecology services

HIQA has said that further improvements are needed in the governance and management of gynaecology services at Letterkenny University Hospital.

Health • 14 Oct 21

The pace of easing restrictions differs between countries

HIQA study shows Ireland has low hospital numbers

Ireland currently has one of the lowest number of people in hospital or intensive care being treated for Covid-19, for every million of the population, according to an updated review of 19 countries, by the Health Information & Quality Authority.

Coronavirus • 14 Jul 21

The inspectors found that Peamount Healthcare in Co Dublin was not adequately resourced to meet the needs of its 21 residents

Governance at disability service "non-compliant" - HIQA

An inspection of a 24-hour residential support service for people with intellectual disabilities by the Health Information and Quality Authority found governance of the centre to be non-compliant.

Health • 28 Jun 21

Maintaining a health lifestyle may reduce risk of poor outcome from Covid-19

Healthy lifestyle may reduce poor Covid outcome risk

Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, being Vitamin D sufficient, moderating alcohol consumption and not smoking all have beneficial effects on general health and may reduce the risk of poor outcomes from Covid-19, the health watchdog has said.

Coronavirus • 23 Jun 21

HIQA has published its annual report for 2020

Covid-19 'exposed gaps' in HIQA regulatory framework

Covid-19 has exposed gaps and shortcomings in the regulatory framework under which the Health Information and Quality Authority works, according to its Chief Executive.

Ireland • 09 Jun 21