Allegations of sexual abuse as well as physical aggression and psychological abuse were noted by HIQA inspectors at a residential care centre for adults with intellectual disabilities in Dublin.
Inspectors noted "ongoing safeguarding incidents" at Coolfin House, run by provider St Michael's House.
The report said these included physical aggression, verbal and psychological abuse, and allegations of sexual abuse in the centre, which it said were attributable to the incompatibility of residents and had been reported in previous inspections of the centre.
Staff told the inspector that incidents were happening "on a regular basis" and were having an "adverse impact" on residents' quality of life.
"Concerns for residents' safety were also noted in the provider’s internal audits, meeting minutes, assessments, safeguarding plans and open complaints made by residents and their families," the report said.
It added that safeguarding plans had been developed outlining the interventions to "keep residents safe from abuse" with the provider adding staff resources to the centre.
"However, staff spoke about the limited effectiveness of the safeguarding plans, and the challenges they faced in ensuring residents' safety," the non-compliant judgement on protection in the centre added.
HIQA inspects against the Health Act 2007, which provides for the care and support of residents in designated centres for children and adults with disabilities.
It also inspects against the national standards for residential services for children and adults with disabilities, which applies to residential services for people with disabilities in Ireland.
Non-compliance at eight centres
HIQA found non-compliance impacting the delivery of care and support at eight designated centres for people with disabilities. It published 28 inspection reports on designated centres for people with disabilities.
Of these 28 inspections, inspectors found a "generally good level of compliance" with the regulations and standards in 20 centres operated by a number of providers.
However, non-compliance that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents was identified in eight centres.
As well as Coolfin House, run by St Michael's House, another centre by the operator was found to be non-compliant.
Meanwhile, poor governance was found to have impacted residents at a centre operated by Praxis Care, where improvements were required by the provider in managing safeguarding incidents between residents.
At a centre operated by Stepping Stones Residential Care Limited, it was also found that poor governance had impacted upon residents.
The provider had "not supported all residents' wellbeing in the centre" and "improvement was required in supporting residents’ health needs", according to the report.
At two centres operated by St John of God Community Services CLG, improvements were required in "measures to protect residents from infection, residents’ support plans and in fire safety measures".
While at a centre operated by Resilience Healthcare Limited, the provider "did not show appropriate oversight of residents’ medications".
The eight centre where non-compliance that impacted on the delivery of care and support to residents was identified was at a centre operated by Saint Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny) trading as Aurora-Enriching Lives, Enriching Communities.
Here the report noted "improvements were required in staffing to support residents".
