A new inspection and registration scheme for residential services for people with disabilities will be delivered by the safety body HIQA from November 1.

HIQA will now be able to set and monitor standards for designated centres which include residential services for people with disabilities, Minister of State with responsibility for disability Kathleen Lynch announced today.

The safety body is now empowered to carry out investigations as to the safety, quality and standards of these residential services.

The Minister acknowledged that the disability sector itself had been calling for this inspection and registration regime for a number of years.