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

“It will be a softly-softly approach for the first two years,” said Ms Lynch. “It will be about encouraging service providers to come up to a particular standard.”

However, a health and safety issue would be dealt with immediately, she said.

Ms Lynch said Hiqa had written a plain-English copy of the standards, which would be available to family and friends visiting the 1,300 designated centres nationwide.

Hiqa’s director of regulation, Phelim Quinn, said the body hoped to be able to inspect a service at least twice every three years.

“But our regime will be a risk-based regime so if we have concerns about a particular centre, we will be in there more often,” said Mr Quinn.

Inclusion Ireland chief executive Paddy Connolly welcomed the move, adding that an information campaign was vital to ensure people with disabilities felt they could go to Hiqa with their concerns.