Review that found 'significant harm' to children in South Kerry Camhs services costs €7.5m

The HSE said the North Kerry review is ongoing, and a figure is not available

The Maskey Report on Camhs in South Kerry included evidence of the 46 children among 240 whose care was deemed substandard. File picture

A review of child and adolescent mental health services (Camhs) in South Kerry, which found "significant harm" done to 46 children because of poor care, cost €7.5m, according to official figures.

The Maskey Report on Camhs in South Kerry included evidence of the 46 children among 240 whose care was deemed substandard, with the HSE issuing a public apology and offering 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.

In figures released to Sinn Féin's health spokesperson, David Cullinane, the HSE said that for the South Kerry Camhs Look Back Review, "expenditure recorded from 2021 to 2024 is €7,585,273, including non-pay legal costs of €336,945 and combined non-pay costs of €3,367,493".

It said the North Kerry review is ongoing, and a figure is not available.

"The North Kerry Camhs Look Back Review remains an ongoing process, and associated expenditure continues to accrue across a number of areas, including clinical review activity, programme management, legal and administrative supports. As the work has not yet concluded, a final verified cost figure is not currently available," the HSE said.

In a recent parliamentary response, mental health minister Mary Butler said she "was seriously concerned with the findings of this (North Kerry) report" but was "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".

Ms Butler said she had approved a scheme to provide compensation to children and young people in North Kerry who were identified as having suffered harm in the review of Camhs.

"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," she said.

Mr Cullinane said there were "obviously clear failings and there had to be investigations, but it will stick in people's throats that we don't have the staff in the area and are spending that amount of money on a review".

We need to be workforce planning — we don't have enough staff in any area, and if a fraction (of the money spent) had been spent on improving services, it would have been better.

"While more consultants are servicing Kerry, they are remote. While they are better than having nothing, it does not replace having people on the ground. 

"I know that some places do not have the necessary staff, and children and young people are not getting the support that they need. It is a postcode lottery. That is still happening and needs to be improved."