A resident in a disability service run by St John of God had to urinate in the garden because they could not access the bathroom, according to an inspection report from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).
Issues regarding bathroom facilities were discovered during an unannounced inspection in May, when there were three residents living in the premises located in the northeast of the country.
The provider had agreed that work would be carried out in the following weeks.
However, a follow-up inspection in July found the response "was not as prompt as it should have been".
In an inspection report published this morning, HIQA said one resident had to urinate in the garden of their home due to having to wait to use the bathroom and that this was "not appropriate".
Discussions had been taking place, according to the service provider, about adding another toilet to the premises, however, no formal decision had been made on how or when this would be achieved.
During the inspection, written confirmation was submitted to HIQA stating that the building works would commence in late August, and it was planned that a second toilet would be added to the premises.
The report is one of 31 inspection reports published by the Health Information and Quality Authority on designated centres for people with disabilities.
Serious safeguarding concerns at Dublin centre
Another inspection raised serious safeguarding concerns about a facility run by the National Association for the Deaf T/A Chime - The National Charity for Deafness and Hearing Loss in Dublin.
The centre, which is based in north Dublin, can accommodate a maximum of five residents.
Inspectors discovered there were allegations between residents, as well as negative peer interactions, some of which were linked to incidents of suicidal ideation.
These had not been screened or reviewed in accordance with the provider's policy or national safeguarding policy, according to HIQA.
Residents expressed ongoing unhappiness about living together according to written records.
One resident reported feeling frightened and others engaged in frequent arguments, resulting in emotional distress.
The lack of compatibility meant there were tensions in the home, which caused ongoing distress for those living there, according to the report.
These issues were documented over "a prolonged period" from October 2023 to the present day
However, inspectors concluded that "well documented concerns had not been dealt with in an effective or timely manner" despite their seriousness and persistence.
Staff described the challenge of working in a difficult environment and explained the measures they implemented to support the group dynamics as best as possible.
The provider of the service said it would complete a review of its safeguarding policy and processes to support staff in the proper recording and reporting of behaviours and incidents.
Compatibility issues and safeguarding concerns at centre in northeast
Another inspection of a service run by Talbot Care in the northeast has also raised serious safeguarding concerns.
The inspection was carried out in June after HIQA received information about compatibility issues and safeguarding concerns at the centre.
Systems were in place for monitoring the service, however, it seems these systems were not identifying key issues.
A monthly unannounced visit to the centre by HIQA, completed in early April 2025, found no reference was made by the provider to serious incidents that had occurred in the centre between October and December 2024 which involved some residents requiring hospitalisation or medical attention.
HIQA found the provider had not effectively reviewed risks around admissions, or a series of significant incidents in the centre, to ensure the safety of residents in the centre would not be further compromised.
The report concludes that "all residents living in the centre had been negatively impacted".
The service provider has said its risk management policy has been revised to add further guidance on the review of safeguarding issues and notifications.
Of the 31 inspections, HIQA found "a generally good level of compliance" with the regulations and standards in 15 centres.
