Hiqa identifies issues with refurbishment works at east Donegal respite centre 

The HSE has said it has taken steps at an east Donegal respite centre to ensure full compliance with standards after the State’s healthcare watchdog found three regulations to be “substantially compliant”.

Drumboe Respite House in Stranorlar was found to have 13 compliant regulations out of 16 following an inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) in September 2025.

At the time of inspection, the centre was providing full-time emergency respite to two adults with disabilities who were  awaiting long-term residential placements. 

The inspection found residents received a good quality service, that their needs had been assessed and the supports required to meet those needs were in place.

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Hiqa said staffing arrangements at the centre met the needs of the residents and staff had received the required training and knowledge to support residents.

However, the inspection found some improvement was required to ensure that there were plans in place to address refurbishment issues in the centre and to promote the rights of residents in relation to accessing permanent accommodation. 

Some improvement was also required regarding the documentation relating to the communication needs of residents. 

The report said the two-storey dormer house with five individual bedrooms was clean, tidy and warm with new furniture in the communal rooms which was comfortable and free from damage.

The inspector noted areas in the house that required refurbishment. The flooring in the kitchen had an area that was covered with tape and there were areas in one bathroom where paint was peeling from the wall.

The report found the refurbishment works had been identified by the provider as outlined in the centre’s quality improvement plan but, on the day of inspection, there was no definite plan for the work to commence. The works included repairing the kitchen floor, installing a new kitchen and repainting parts of the centre.

Under the communication regulation, the inspector found residents were supported to communicate their needs and wishes, however, information in the care plans was not always consistent with the practices in use in the centre. As an example, one resident's communication plan referenced a folder with pictures for communication but this was not in use in the centre on the day of inspection. 

Regarding the regulation for residents' rights, the inspection found the rights of residents were promoted, but their ability to exercise choice and control over their daily lives was impacted by the fact that they were not living in permanent accommodation.

In response to the report, the HSE said it has undertaken actions to ensure full compliance at the centre, which included the appointment of a contractor to complete the identified refurbishment works.

The HSE said it continues to work with the residents and their representatives to transition to their new long-term homes and residents’ care plans, positive behaviour support plans and communication plans have been reviewed and updated.

“HSE West and North West Disability Services in the Donegal Integrated Healthcare Area will continue to work to ensure that robust governance, quality and safety measures are in place within Drumboe Respite House to ensure high quality supports and services are experienced by all residents,” the HSE said.