Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
1081. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to issue a detailed report in regards to the CAMHS scandal in both north and south Kerry, including all related costs to date (details supplied); when all cases will be finalised; when the north Kerry CAMHS Lookback review will be published; if these children many who are young adults today and their families will receive a State apology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9723/26]
View answerThe Maskey Report, which was published in 2022, examined deficits in relation to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in South Kerry. The Government acknowledged these deficits at the time and introduced a Compensation Scheme which has subsequently been administered by the State Claims Agency (SCA).
As of 12 January 2026, the SCA had received 231 applications to the South Kerry CAMHS Compensation Scheme. Payments on account had been made to 227 applicants following an application verification process. Mediations were also ongoing and 120 of these had taken place up to that date.
The HSE submitted the Final Report on the North Kerry Lookback Review to my Department on 6 February last. Both I, and the Department of Health are considering the Report in detail, which involves liaison with the HSE and other agencies as appropriate.
As I have indicated on many occasions in the past, my fundamental objective in completing this Review was to keep the best interests of young people and their families to the fore. I intend that the Lookback Review will be published as quickly as possible.
I wish to stress that any young person or their family in Kerry, or elsewhere, should continue to seek help without delay from our specialist CAMHS service which benefits so many young people and their families each year. I fully appreciate the tremendous work being carried out by all CAMHS staff nationally to ensure that our CAMHS service is safe, accessible, child-centered, and delivered to the highest possible standards.
