A Dublin facility supporting adults with physical disabilities and neurological impairments had a policy that residents who needed support on holidays were responsible for most staff costs in addition to their own, according to a Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) inspection report.
The costs included staff wages including PRSI and pension contributions, staff travel insurance, transport costs, staff meals and accommodation.
This resulted in a financial burden being placed on the residents who were taking "a short break in Ireland", according to HIQA.
Inspectors were shown the financial records from one resident's five-day holiday in Donegal, which cost the resident €3,115.50 in staff costs alone.
When the cost of accommodation, diesel and food including staff meals was added to this, the cost of the holiday was just over €4,000.
Parents of residents informed the inspectors that the provider's policy was a barrier to the residents accessing holidays.
The inspector saw that holiday costs were discussed at staff meetings and staff were encouraged to keep costs down.
Shorter breaks and residents holidaying together, in order to split the cost, were suggested.
"This was not supporting residents to achieve the typical goal of having a holiday during the course of the year and a break away from their peers and the centre," according to the report.
It states that HIQA was not assured that residents had been consulted appropriately.
Inspectors noted that information regarding costs had not been presented to residents in an accessible manner or that their consent had been received and formally documented in this regard.
The inspectors saw that residents' accounts were invoiced to cover the full costs of holidays including staff costs and that the consent of the resident was not documented.
Additionally, the inspectors requested assurances that residents' accounts were not being used to cover the typical staff costs relating to the carrying on of the centre for those holiday periods.
The provider was required to complete a comprehensive review of these matters and an assurance report was sought subsequent to the inspection.
Responding to HIQA's findings, the facility said a review of residents’ holidays over the past number of years and the costs incurred by them was under way.
"If there are any instances wherein the latter is the case the individual using the service will be notified and reimbursements will be completed," according to the provider.
It has also set about reviewing its holiday policy to ensure that the process of charging residents for taking staff with them when on holiday is "appropriate and fair".
It is also considering whether the potential charges "are clearly stated in the policy" and whether further actions to ensure awareness amongst service-users should be taken.
The provider also said it had made interim changes to sections of the holiday, short breaks and daytrips policy to give clarity around planning, costings and approvals.
The report is one of 30 inspection reports published by HIQA on designated centres for people with disabilities.
Poor levels of compliance with regulations and standards in 16 other centres were identified.
Issues of concern in these centres included poor governance, poor safeguarding, insufficient measures to protect against infection, safety issues regarding premises and fire safety.
Examples of good practice observed by inspectors included a resident in a Kildare facility who described how they planned their budget to ensure they could take part in activities they enjoyed regularly, while also ensuring their bills were paid.
Another resident at the same centre said they were happy and proud of their achievements such as cooking and travelling independently on public transport.
