Michael Cahill
Ceist:442. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Health to issue a public apology (details supplied) [50553/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 2 July 2026
Ceisteanna (442)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the previous Chief Executive of the HSE, Bernard Gloster, unequivocally apologised after reviews into CAMHS in north and south Kerry identified harm and risks of potential for harm in how young people were treated.
The Maskey Report published in 2022, examined deficits in relation to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in South Kerry. The review identified that 240 young people did not receive the standard of care they should have from CAMHS. The HSE issued a public apology at that time 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 initiated the North Kerry Lookback Review following the publication of the Maskey Report in 2022 in relation to CAMHS in South Kerry. The HSE published this latest Lookback Review on 18 February 2026. Again, the HSE issued a public apology to the young people and their families affected in North Kerry, including in letters to impacted families.
My priority since I initiated the North Kerry Lookback Review has been the best interests of the children, young people and their families and to have this report published as quickly as possible. Throughout the Lookback process all young people and families have had access to on-going support, including the open disclosure helpline and a Clinical Liaison Support Team.
During the review, any young person whose file showed major or moderate potential for harm in the care provided to them was invited to an individual Open Disclosure meeting. These meetings offered families an opportunity to hear the findings of the review of their file and to give feedback on their experience of the service and to receive an apology directly from the HSE for the deficits in care.
As I have indicated on several occasions since the publication, I was seriously concerned with the findings of this report. However, I am satisfied that HSE South West has taken the necessary steps to address the deficits in care experienced by children and young people as highlighted in this report and in the Maskey review.
On 26 March last, I approved a scheme to provide compensation to children and young people in North Kerry who were identified as having suffered harm in the Review. Importantly, in extending the existing South Kerry compensation scheme, I also ensured that it covers any young person who may become eligible as the HSE undertakes a further file review. I wanted to guarantee that if a young person is identified as having suffered harm through the review of their file, they can apply to the scheme immediately
Given that there is now increased governance, regular care and prescribing audits, standardised practice and a dedicated workforce, I am assured that the service now is significantly improved and that the necessary safeguards have been put in place to ensure that similar risks do not happen again.
I visited Kerry on 19 and 20 February last to meet young people, families and mental health services staff, followed by national and local media, to ensure meaningful engagement, visibility and reassurance. I visited Kerry again on 9 April to meet with more families who had been in contact with my Office since the Report was published. As I said at that time, I was heartbroken for the affected families and was seriously concerned with the findings of this report. I indicated also to the families that HSE South West has addressed the deficits in care identified and will continue with all aspects of service improvement.
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. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that An Taoiseach has agreed to meet with patient representatives in relation to Kerry CAMHS in the near future, and I will liaise with An Taoiseach to finalise the details around this.