Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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710. To ask the Minister for Health if there will be an inquiry into the provision of child and adolescent mental health services in south County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13066/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I do not propose at this stage to establish a public enquiry in relation to Kerry CAMHS and the Maskey report. This matter is of the upmost importance to me and the following are the steps I have taken in response to the Maskey report which was the independent report of the review of care provided by South Kerry CAMHS, to satisfy myself, service users, and their families, with the standard of CAMHS services in general across the country, in the most timely and independent manner.

A full nationwide audit of compliance with existing CAMHS operational guidelines by all CAMHS teams will be carried out. I have written to the HSE to direct them to commence this immediately.

As well as this audit, the HSE is finalising the details of the further independent-led audit of case files in North Kerry. 

I am in ongoing discussions on the independently-led prescribing audit for each of the CAMHS teams, which I sought as an additional action, beyond the recommendations set out in the Maskey report. It is important to me that this audit is comprehensive and robust. It will cover community and inpatient teams and it will be independently led.

I have also requested that the CAMHS Experience Study by the HSE commence immediately, so that no further time is lost.  

In addition to these audits, the Mental Health Commission has commenced a separate review. 

Finally, the Government has committed to a non-adversarial scheme for compensation for those children, young people and families affected by the report and the details of the operation of such a scheme are being finalised.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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711. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline for the implementation of the recommendations contained within the report on the look-back review into child and adolescent mental health services in County Kerry published on 12 January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13067/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The  recently published Maskey report has made findings regarding significant failings, across multiple levels of the system, in the care provided and there are 35 recommendations to improve service delivery. The HSE has considered the report locally and nationally. It has accepted the recommendations and work is underway to implement them. 6 have already been implemented with 13 having commenced implementation. I have sought fortnightly updates on progress, including timelines.

A full nationwide audit of compliance with existing CAMHS operational guidelines by all CAMHS teams will be carried out. I have written to the HSE to direct them to commence this immediately.

As well as this audit, the HSE is finalising the details of the further independent-led audit of case files in North Kerry. 

I am in ongoing discussions on the independently-led prescribing audit for each of the CAMHS teams, which I sought as an additional action, beyond the recommendations set out in the Maskey report. It is important to me that this audit is comprehensive and robust. It will cover community and inpatient teams and it will be independently led.

I have also requested that the CAMHS Experience Study by the HSE commence immediately, so that no further time is lost.  

In addition to these audits, the Mental Health Commission has commenced a separate review. 

Finally, the Government has committed to a non-adversarial scheme for compensation for those children, young people and families affected by the report and the details of the operation of such a scheme are being finalised. I will be better positioned to advise the Deputy in relation to specific timelines very shortly. 

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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712. To ask the Minister for Health when there will be integration of services for children who require mental health assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13068/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.