An inspection of a disability service by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) found the provider failed to protect its residents from "all forms of abuse".
One resident alleged that they had been touched on the breast by a resident at the Comeragh High Support Residential Services in Waterford.
It provides fulltime residential support for up to five residents with intellectual disabilities.
During an inspection in August, HIQA discovered that some of the residents did not feel safe in their home.
One resident told HIQA inspectors that another resident "was always tormenting" him/her and this was reflected in meeting notes reviewed.
HIQA found poor awareness and oversight of potential abusive engagements between residents and a lack of management systems or guidance for staff in place.
Of particular concern to HIQA was the allegation that one resident had been touched on the breast by another resident.
Inspectors reviewed multidisciplinary team meeting minutes, where the incident had been discussed, which noted that the resident who was touched "was upset by the actions".
However, there was no recorded follow-up to this meeting.
Another incident which related to the same resident being touched was recorded on the incident reporting system and discussed again by the multidisciplinary team.
The minutes of that meeting stated that the resident was "uncomfortable and concerned".
Another incident alleged that one resident was reported to have thrown a cup of tea at another resident and there was no evidence that the safeguarding policy had been followed in relation to this.
HIQA inspectors said the samples reviewed met the threshold of an alleged safeguarding incident and there was very poor practice in relation to safeguarding overall.
Privacy and dignity were also an issue at the centre because written communication about aspects of residents' care and support needs were visible.
Personal information in relation to residents' financial assessments and financial positions were on display in the office.
"This did not protect residents right to confidentiality and privacy," according to the report.
Responding to the findings by HIQA, the provider said all concerns or allegations of abuse would be addressed through the organisation's safeguarding policy, and that required notifications would be submitted via the HIQA portal within required timeframes.
A specific internal safeguarding training day was also held for staff in recent months.
The report is one of 21 inspection reports published by HIQA.
Inspectors found a generally good level of compliance with the regulations and standards in 12 centres.
Non-compliances that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents were identified in nine other centres.
