Concerns about the governance and management of a number of centres for people with disabilities have been highlighted in an overview report by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).
In 2024, 20 centres were issued with a notice of a proposed decision to cancel their registration compared to eight centres in 2023.
Five ultimately had their registration revoked last year and, in these cases, the HSE stepped in to manage operations temporarily.
The report, which is based on inspections carried out in 2024, shows there have been improvements in the sector, but that challenges remain.
A total of 1,042 inspections found that the majority of centres provided a good standard of care and support.
Staff had received training in human rights-based care in 82% of services, reflecting "a continued focus" on ensuring the rights of residents are upheld.
By the end of the year, there were 1,655 designated centres with 9,246 residential places for those with a disability.
There was a net increase of 81 centres in 2024 compared to the end of 2023.
HIQA's Interim Deputy Chief Inspector of Social Services (Disability) noted that the sector continued to expand last year.
Ciara McShane said strong regulatory oversight is essential to ensure that providers deliver safe, effective, and high-quality care.
"Where non-compliance impacts the safety and quality of care, we use our regulatory powers to drive improvement," she said.
While overall compliance improved, some providers required escalated regulatory programmes to address systemic issues.
Sunbeam House Services CLG, Ability West, and Western Care Association underwent such programmes last year.
Sunbeam House Services CLG, which operated 34 residential centres, had repeated poor inspection findings.
One centre’s registration was cancelled, with the HSE taking interim control. Inspections throughout 2024 showed early signs of improvement, according to HIQA.
Ability West, which operated 28 centres, faced increasing non-compliance risks, but organisational action, including the submission of a governance improvement plan, prevented cancellations.
Inspectors noted incremental improvements in most of its centres.
Western Care Association, which has 43 centres, continued an enhanced regulatory programme that began in 2023.
Three centres belonging to Western Care faced escalation actions, including warning letters and a notice of proposed registration cancellation.
HIQA has said monitoring will continue into 2025.
