Hiqa given powers for residential inspections

A new inspection regime for residential services for people with disabilities will conduct a “softly-softly approach” for the first two years of its operation, it has emerged.

The programme, which was launched yesterday, will empower the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) to investigate the safety and quality of the services.

Minister of state with responsibility for disability, Kathleen Lynch, said many service providers would be well ahead of what was required but some would not reach the mark