A full-time residential centre in East Kerry has received a broadly positive evaluation from the healthcare watchdog.
Rehab Group runs the Boulia Accommodation Service for adult men with intellectual disabilities, autism, mental health needs and epilepsy.
The centre was compliant with seven of the ten safeguarding regulations against which it was inspected, and substantially compliant with the remaining three.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) carried out an unannounced one-day inspection at the centre last August (25/11/2025).
The inspector reported that residents appeared very comfortable with staff, who treated them in a kind and respectful manner.
On the day of the inspection, there were several staff vacancies and, while this did not impact on residents’ quality of life, the report said it did affect the team’s ability to hold meetings.
The Rehab Group said a 39-hour permanent post has since been filled by an international candidate.
It also told HIQA that a further 20-hour post, along with a relief position, was expected to be filled by the end of November 2025.
The premises were deemed substantially compliant, although a long-term leak was identified in the conservatory roof.
The Rehab Group’s property department was scheduled to complete the necessary repair works before the end of 2025.
Finally, the Boulia Accommodation Service was marked as substantially compliant after a single incident, which occurred before the inspection, was not promptly identified as a safeguarding issue.
All other safeguarding incidents involving residents had been reported to the relevant statutory bodies.
Centre management committed that all incidents, suspicions or allegations of abuse will be notified to HIQA within three days, in line with regulatory standards.
Each of the four residents told the inspector they were well looked after, received good support, and were living there very happily.
