Last January, the HSE published a review of a junior doctor’s treatment of child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, patients in south Kerry. That review found that 46 children suffered significant harm as a result of inappropriately prescribed medication and a further 181 children were put at risk of harm. The HSE confirms that it has commenced a review of the files of patients treated by this same doctor in north Kerry over five years. A five-year review is far too narrow and will not get to the bottom of the scandal. These failures were systemic and date back well beyond the five-year timeframe. Since 2007, approximately 7,000 children have been through the CAMHS system in Kerry, so the sample needs to be extended to a full review of all north Kerry CAMHS cases over the past 15 years. I ask the Taoiseach to ensure that this happens so families finally get the answers they deserve.

In the Maskey report, Dr. Seán Maskey, who carried out the lookback review at south Kerry CAMHS, previously reviewed not just files in south Kerry but also a small number of files in north Kerry. Dr. Maskey included 35 files from north Kerry CAMHS in his review. For completeness and as a matter of good practice, the HSE is currently screening files in north Kerry so it can identify any remaining files where the doctor involved may have had an involvement at any level. The HSE expects that many of these files will have previously been identified. This is not a review; it is a preliminary screening. Once files have been screened, any cases where there may be a potential for a clinical concern will be examined by Dr. Maskey. The HSE has asked Dr. Maskey to do this work given his experience, knowledge and familiarity, given the work he has already done. Dr. Maskey indicated that he will be available to undertake this work in the coming months. The HSE is currently approximately halfway through the preliminary screening.

I thank the Taoiseach. His time is up.