Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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1762. To ask the Minister for Health the scope of the nationwide audit into CAMHS on the back of the Maskey report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20864/22]

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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1763. To ask the Minister for Health if he will respond to the article in a newspaper (details supplied) that stated the scope of the nationwide audit into CAMHS was narrowed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20865/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1762 and 1763 together.

The newspaper article cited by the Deputy was incorrect.

As I publicly indicated previously, I requested the HSE to undertake a full national audit of prescribing practice in CAMHS nationwide. Following intensive discussions, the audit will be undertaken as I initially sought. It will not be confined to just ADHD. An expert team, chaired by Dr Collette Halpin, has been established. The independent team is supported by the HSE National Centre for Clinical Audit. The team is finalising the process and methodology. The main Group has met on two occasions to date with a number of sub-Group meetings having also occurred. They expect to report in Quarter 4 2022.

This is in addition to the implementation of all 35 recommendations made in the Maskey Report.

The Chief Operating and the Chief Clinical Officer in the HSE are overseeing, monitoring and reporting on implementation. They chair an Oversight Group which has met several times already and will continue to meet regularly to ensure timely progress on implementation within an overall framework. The framework is made up of 63 actions, the majority of which have already begun to be implemented.

Proposals for the audit of compliance with CAMHS operational guidelines by all CAMHS teams are being procured. Once they are assessed, a successful provider will be chosen. They will be asked to complete the audit within six months of appointment.

Work is at an advanced stage on qualitative research into CAMHS experiences . The HSE is currently in discussion with an academic team to independently conduct qualitative research on service user experience of CAMHS. The purpose of this research is to determine the lived experience of patients, families, staff and GPs who all interact with CAMHS. This research will take place at a national level and is not limited to any particular diagnosis or treatment. It is anticipated that this important piece of work will commence shortly. As this is a substantial research project it is expected that initial findings will be reported to the HSE in December 2022.

In parallel, the Mental Health Commission has commenced a it's own separate review relating to the Maskey Report. CAMHS teams over the past number of weeks have actively engaged with the Commission in conducting an independent review of CAMHS provision, as announced by the Commission in February last.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1764. To ask the Minister for Health if he will schedule a person (details supplied) for an appointment with CAMHS in Springfield Centre, Mullingar, County Westmeath. [20877/22]

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.