Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, I hope I have the support of everyone in this House in working to address the challenges across our mental health system and, in particular, in child and adolescent mental health services. This was evident from the debate last Wednesday in this House when we discussed youth mental health. Of course, to the very front of our minds then, and this evening, are the disturbing and devastating revelations in the report on child and adolescent mental health services in south Kerry. The HSE has considered the report locally and nationally, acknowledged the systemic failures that occurred over a sustained period of time and accepted the recommendations.

Last Wednesday, I set out in detail the many contributory factors that led to this catalogue of failures, including an absence of clinical oversight, appropriate governance and management structures. Work is under way to implement the full suite of recommendations as a matter of priority. Of these, six have already been implemented with 13 having commenced implementation. The HSE has met with 198 of the 240 young people affected, and their families, to discuss the deficits they received in their care and to provide them with key information and referral to any necessary services and supports. This includes counselling supports and appropriate services from within child and adult mental health services. I am in close contact with the chief officer of the area to ensure that any additional supports that are required are provided. The HSE apologised to each individual at these meetings, and subsequently in writing, for any harm caused.

The report outlined the alarming effects of the prescribing of medications on the children and young people affected, including sedation, the production of breast milk and weight gain. I described these impacts in some detail last Wednesday. There are 35 recommendations in total in the report, including an assessment of a reconfiguration of the service. As I set out to the House previously, as part of the recommendations a full nationwide audit will be conducted of compliance with existing CAMHS operational guidelines by all CAMHS teams. I have also directed that there be an independently led prescribing audit in each of the CAMHS teams. This will cover community and inpatient teams. There will be a further independent-led audit of case files in north Kerry.

Alongside this, the HSE will commission qualitative research to identify the experiences of children, young people and their families using child and adolescent mental health services nationwide. I have directed that this three-stranded approach be subject to independent oversight. In addition, I am pleased to update the House that the Government has today committed to a non-adversarial scheme for compensation for those children, young people and families affected by the report. I will be working closely with my Department, the HSE and the Attorney General to ensure that the details of such a scheme are confirmed without delay. Many families have already been subjected to harm and considerable distress. I will do my utmost as Minister of State for mental health to reduce the potential for any further upset as this process continues.

The report is shocking and frightening and my thoughts are still very much with the children and young people affected. The systems we have in place must be fit for purpose to support the good work that we know is going on as much as to bring to light and address what harm is caused. Accountability in this context is vital. I understand that An Garda Síochána in Kerry is in receipt of the detailed and extensive final report, which will now be considered to see if there are grounds to commence a criminal investigation. While it is not appropriate to comment on HR or industrial relations matters relating to any individual, the CEO of the HSE has said that disciplinary action will be taken if appropriate.

Members will know that I have consistently sought the reinstatement of a national director for mental health post in the HSE. This is not solely a reaction to the publication of the report, but I take this opportunity to renew to the House my call seeking that this important post is reinstated to give vital strategic direction to the development and improvement of mental health services. Contrary to what Deputy Ward said about my being late to the call, he did not include a national director for mental health in his previous PMB.

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