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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Tusla children in south Kerry CAMHS

Summary

Deputy Ward raised the Maskey report and said Tusla children accessing south Kerry CAMHS were placed at risk, with little apparent engagement between agencies. Minister O'Gorman said the issue of silos between State bodies is real and he and Minister Butler will engage on it and report back.

At the committee on children it was revealed that 20 children under the care of Tusla accessed south Kerry's child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, during the period covered by the Maskey report. Of these, six children suffered harm or significant harm, that is, 30% of all children under the care of the State who accessed CAMHS in south Kerry were placed at some form of harm. The Department of Health has revealed to me that it had no engagement with Tusla on this until it received a parliamentary question from me. I was further advised that the statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of children's welfare is a matter for Tusla, whereas CAMHS is managed by the HSE and is a separate entity. Nobody seems to be talking to each other. What plans has the Government in place to address the deficiencies between the two arms of the State that failed these vulnerable children in order to stop these vulnerable children falling through the cracks?

Comment on this

It is an important question. Deputy Ward and other Deputies have raised legitimate points about the interaction with vulnerable children and, in particular, children who are in State care. When we have different State agencies looking after them, silos can sometimes build up. I have dealt with that in respect of Tusla and the HSE in the context of children with significant needs who are in long-term care. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and I will engage on this issue and will get back to the committee on children. Maybe it is something we can take further within the confines of the committee on children.

Comment on this