Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Families affected by CAMHS catastrophic failure of children told me that they found the report soul-destroying, that they were sick to the stomach when they learned of the harm suffered by their vulnerable children and that worse, it could have been prevented had changes been made first, after the resignation of consultants in the south-eastern service or at least shortened had the issues been addressed when they were first raised by the whistleblower. There were children who asked to self-medicate and who were a year without follow-up appointments. Those with social anxiety and chronic fatigue dosed with antipsychotic medication.

The acknowledgment of the report and the apology is a start. The 35 recommendations must be implemented without further delay. Parents need care plans immediately. They need the scope of the review to be broadened to north Kerry and beyond. Parents who need anonymity need to have that guaranteed in any redress scheme. The HSE must pay for an independent consultant or consultants to review the files and advise the parents on treatment and the harm done to their children.

As noted, the WHO says that 12% of healthcare spending should be on mental health. Here it is less than 6%. Hence the waiting lists and short staffing. We need the right resources. We need key workers, social workers, proper oversight and the ending of pay disparities between the different systems and the improvement of working conditions, offices and support staff. The capacity deficiencies and geographic inequalities also need to be addressed. In my area, there is the longest waiting list in the State. It comprises 682 children, almost half of whom have been waiting to access CAMHS for more than a year.

The motion is not a request; it is a demand. Our children deserve what it seeks.

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