Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I acknowledge, in particular, her reference to the non-adversarial process for trying to address the matter and support some of the families. That is absolutely crucial. There must be a review of recruitment. I have put in a very detailed parliamentary question this week on the matter but there must be a review of what background checks were made. Is this something that will happen again or can we be sure it will never happen again? There must have been a failure somewhere in that recruitment process if certain individuals are getting into the positions and failing so clearly. There are other factors but the recruitment process must be looked at. Too many alarm bells have rung without a review happening in that regard. Confidence in the system has gone and that is why exceptional measures in the context of intervention are required. The support from within CAMHS is not good enough for people who have been so badly let down by this. For the children who have been so badly neglected, it is crucial that this be rectified immediately.

In the very brief time I have left, I will raise a very tragic case that came to my attention last September. When I brought it to the attention of the HSE, an immediate review was undertaken. I refer to the case of a child who attended Kerry CAMHS with their mother but who was turned away. Two weeks later, the child took their own life. Five months have passed since the review was initiated and the family has not got a conclusion. These people deserve answers. We speak about catastrophic impacts on children but this family has lost a child. It has been five months since I brought this matter to the attention of the HSE. I was guaranteed a review would happen. We need this to be concluded now for the family to give these people some answers.

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