I read the report of the north Kerry CAMHS review last night. It paints a picture akin to a Wild West, with no oversight, accountability or support and incredible god-like decisions. There are very serious questions that need urgent answers. How can it be the case, that with such harm done there is not a single full-time psychiatrist in north Kerry at this point in time? How can anyone with confidence go the HSE now and say they want their case reviewed? When there are a number of psychiatrists contributing hours, how can people expect they will be treated seriously?

On the actions the Minister set out yesterday, can the Tánaiste assure us there is now a red flag system in real time that will flag anomalous prescribing patterns? On her talk of a new central referrals system, the reality is it excludes autistic children, assessments of need and children under the age of eight. There are serious problems with the central referral system. What assurances can the Tánaiste provide to the families who are currently engaging with CAMHS and the families who will need CAMHS in future years? There is huge concern about the quality of service at the moment.

I thank the Deputy for raising this deeply and profoundly concerning issue. I join with her and everyone in expressing my profound sympathy and thoughts to the children and young people affected, their parents and their families. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is in Kerry as we speak and engaging directly. She briefed the Cabinet yesterday on this issue. She will leave no stone unturned in providing support and answers, and in making sure we extend the likes of the existing non-adversarial compensation scheme in place for families impacted by deficits in care. She has directed her Department to engage with the Attorney General's office and the State Claims Agency to progress this.

I will say more broadly, because lots of families are interacting with CAMHS, that it is important to stress the independent national prescribing audit did not identify the fundamental care deficits in Kerry anywhere else nationally. I wanted to say that. I also want to say that a number of improvements to the service have taken place since 2022 in Kerry, including the two teams that are working there. I am also conscious, as the Deputy will be, that a lot of people working today in CAMHS in Kerry are doing a very good job in a very difficult and stressful situation. Once the Minister of State is back from her engagements in Kerry, she will provide further updates on next steps in relation to this.