The HSE has taken over three centres for people with autism, where it's believed residents were at risk.
All of the centres were run by the Irish Society for Autism, until the HIQA cancelled their registration in recent months.
Investigations by the healthcare watchdog last year, revealed that drugs were used to chemically restrain patients, while others left the premises unnoticed or engaged in self-harm.
47 adult residents with autism were living in the three farm-based centres at Sarshill House in Co Wexford, Dunfirth Farm in Kildare and Cluain Farm in Westmeath.
Finian McGrath is the Minister of State for disabilities:
"We need to be able to ensure that these people get the proper professional service, and again we also need to change the mindset as well in relation to the whole idea of people with disabilities and charities.
As far as I'm concerned people with disabilities have rights, and they've rights to proper services."
