The Maskey Report, 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 12 January, resulting in 111 settlements, 4 cases for determination by the mediator and 5 adjourned for further investigations.
I understand that there is one lead firm of solicitors that represents most of the remaining applicants to the Scheme. Subject to the solicitors’ capacity to progress their caseload, the SCA aim to finalise the remaining cases in the next 18 months. The SCA continues to engage with families in relation to the processes involved in the Compensation Scheme.
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.
