Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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295. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30231/23]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The 35 recommendations arising from the Maskey report reviewing South Kerry CAMHS care resulted in a number of actions. The latest HSE implementation framework contains a total of 63 actions (local and national) against the 35 recommendations. The 35 recommendations led to 63 actions, 19 of which (national and local) have been implemented, with others underway.

The HSE is currently progressing three national audits in relation to CAMHS, namely a review of CAMHS prescribing practice, compliance with the CAMHS Operational Guidelines and a qualitative review of service user experiences in CAMHS being undertaken by UCC. The reports on these audits, expected in due course, will be given full and proper consideration by this Government.

In addition, the Mental Health Commission is also conducting its own independent review of CAMHS. An Interim Report was published on 23 January 2023. The Government and the HSE have accepted the findings and recommendations of the recently published Interim Report of the Commission and is progressing consequent actions as appropriate. The final Mental Health Commission Report is expected shortly.

I re-iterate, as I have on numerous occasions since the publication of the Mental Health Commission Interim Report on CAMHS, that it is encouraging there has been no evidence to-date that the over-prescribing seen in South Kerry has occurred elsewhere. I will further review the position when the various reports on CAMHS are published.