Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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258. To ask the Minister for Health the details and dates of correspondence received from the HSE or Children’s Health Ireland regarding a report (details supplied). [39965/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The specific information sought by the Deputy is unclear, including the reference to Children’s Health Ireland in the context of the provision of CAMHS care in Kerry. If the Deputy would like to clarify further details on this, I would be happy to follow up on the matter direct with the Deputy.

Separately, the Maskey Report, published on 26 January 2022, examined the files of everyone who received care from South Kerry CAMHS between 1 July 2016 and 19 April 2021. It identified deficits in governance, supervision and oversight, clinical practice and the overall functioning and administrative processes, which contributed to the sub-standard care received by these young people.

The review identified that 240 young people did not receive the standard of care they should have from CAMHS. The HSE issued an apology and offered meetings to all affected in South Kerry. The Government also introduced a non-adversarial route for children and their families to seek compensation for the shortfall in care received.

I updated Cabinet this week on the outcome of the Compensation Scheme put in place following the Maskey Report into specialist services in South Kerry CAMHS. The Scheme provides for full compensation, in accordance with established principles of compensatory damages, and agreed clinical supports to persons who suffered injury or harm as identified through the Maskey Report and who have been notified by HSE CAMHS.

The Compensation Scheme has had a very high level of uptake. As of 18 June 2025, there have been 230 applications to the Scheme. Payments on account are ongoing, with initial payments made to 223 applicants following an applications’ verification process. In terms of mediations, the most recent information as of 13 May 2025 indicates that 83 mediations have taken place, with 74 (89%) have concluded in settlement with the remainder awaiting a determination or are adjourned and expected to resume. The high uptake indicates that those affected consider the Scheme to be an appropriate response to the deficits in care identified. As a result, children and families have experienced resolution in a less stressful and adversarial manner than the alternative, adversarial court process.

The current Compensation Scheme is a good practice example of alternative dispute resolution for healthcare-related claims which prevents exacerbation of harm already suffered by patients and families, and reduces legal costs.

I will continue to work with the HSE Child and Youth Mental Health National Office to drive reform of CAMHS and to ensure services are safe, accessible, child-centred, and delivered to the highest of standards.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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259. To ask the Minister for Health to report on progress on the North Kerry CAMHS Lookback Review; when the report will be published; if a redress scheme will be opened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39966/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Both I, and the Department of Health, await submission by the HSE of the Final Report by Dr. Halpin on the North Kerry Lookback Review.

I am closely monitoring developments in relation to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in North Kerry, including the timeline for the completion of the Lookback Review and any evolving issues in relation to the existing Compensation Scheme. The HSE has indicated to me and to the Department that the Review will be made available as soon as possible, acknowledging that necessary due diligence and related processes must be adhered to in finalising the Review.

I understand that all file reviews have now been completed, and all children, young people and their families have been communicated with directly in relation to the outcome of their file review. My main concern throughout this process has been to ensure that children, young people and their families are communicated with directly in advance of the publication of the Lookback Review.

I will continue to work closely with the HSE Child and Youth Mental Health National Office to drive reform of CAMHS nationally to ensure that this key specialist service which benefits so many young people and their families each year is safe, accessible, child-centered, and delivered to the highest of standards.

The Deputy can rest assured that I will continue to keep this specific matter under close review.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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260. To ask the Minister for Health the details and dates of correspondence received from the HSE or Children’s Health Ireland regarding a report (details supplied). [39967/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The specific information sought by the Deputy is unclear, including the reference to Children’s Health Ireland in the context of the provision of CAMHS care in Kerry. If the Deputy would like to clarify further details on this I would be happy to follow up on the matter direct with the Deputy.

Separately, following the publication of the Maskey Report in 2022, a random file audit of open cases was conducted in North Kerry in order to provide assurances around CAMHS care in North Kerry. The result of this audit indicated that a comprehensive Lookback Review was required.

The HSE took immediate action on the results of the file audit by setting up this Lookback Review, to first look at the files of young people currently under the care of North Kerry CAMHS. A senior clinician, supported by a team of CAMHS Consultants, was appointed to lead this review, which commenced on 19 June 2023.

It was hoped that this review would be completed in a short time period; however, when Dr. Colette Halpin and her team of consultants commenced preparing for the review, they realised that it would take longer to undertake a robust review of all cases.

My priority has always been that the files of every young person would get a thorough and consistent review. All file reviews have now been completed, and all individuals and families have been communicated with directly in relation to the outcome of their file review.

During the review, any young person whose file showed deficits in the care provided to them, was called for an individual Open Disclosure meeting, during which the HSE outlined the review findings and sincerely apologised to both the young person and their family. Ongoing support is subsequently being provided to these young people and families by the HSE Clinical Liaison Support Team.

The Department of Health awaits submission by the HSE of the final report by Dr. Halpin in relation to the North Kerry Lookback Review.

The HSE have reiterated to the Department that the Review will be made available as soon as possible, acknowledging that necessary due diligence and related processes must be adhered to in the finalisation of the Review.

My main concern throughout this process has been to ensure that children, young people and their families are communicated with directly in advance of the publication of the Review.

The Department of Health, in conjunction with the HSE, are closely monitoring developments in relation to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in North Kerry, including the timeline for the completion of the Lookback Review.

I will continue to work with the HSE Child and Youth Mental Health National Office to drive reform of CAMHS and to ensure services are safe, accessible, child-centred, and delivered to the highest of standards.