Revealed: Widespread breaches of basic care standards at residential disability centres [Video]

STAFF SHORTAGES ARE significantly impacting charitable and nonprofit residential disability service providers, with centres across the country failing to meet care standards.

The Journal Investigates reveals the pressure placed on staff — with some working up to 60-70 hours a week to plug gaps in the system — leading to burnout, low morale and retention issues.

A family of a former resident told us that a constant change of staff had a “huge knock-on effect” on the standard of care received by their relative.

Our investigative unit examined more than 900 inspection reports from the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) in 2023. We found that charitable-run disability centres were significantly less compliant than those managed directly by the HSE.

According to the Regulation Handbook published by Hiqa, “a judgement of not compliant means the provider or person in charge has failed to comply with a regulation and that considerable action is required” …