Inspections of a number of disability centres reveal safeguarding concerns and lack of toilet facilities forcing resident to urinate in garden

"They found that a number of allegations between residents, as well as negative peer interactions, some of which were linked to incidents of suicidal ideation, had not been screened or reviewed in accordance with the provider's or national safeguarding policy. The inspectors from the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) said written records demonstrated that residents expressed ongoing unhappiness living together, with one resident reporting feeling frightened and others engaging in frequent arguments, resulting in emotional distress."

"These issues were documented over a prolonged period, from October 2023 to the present day. These well-documented concerns had not been dealt with in an effective or timely manner. Despite the seriousness and persistence of these concerns, incidents had not been screened under established safeguarding procedures, nor were they notified to the relevant statutory agencies as required. Safeguarding plans had not been developed to address or mitigate the ongoing risk of psychological harm arising from these negative interactions, said the report."

Inspectors found multiple allegations and negative peer interactions at a centre run by the National Association for the Deaf T/A Chime in north Dublin that were not screened or reviewed according to provider or national safeguarding policy. Written records showed residents expressed ongoing unhappiness, fear, frequent arguments, and emotional distress from October 2023 to present. Incidents were not screened under safeguarding procedures, not notified to statutory agencies, and no safeguarding plans were developed to mitigate psychological harm. The provider committed to reviewing safeguarding policy and reporting processes. A separate inspection of a St John of God centre in Louth found only one toilet, causing a resident to urinate in the garden.

Read at Irish Independent