Legacy of North Kerry CAMHS horror is that CAMHS and youth mental health care must be overhauled – Sherlock

• Harrowing cases of moderate and severe harm in North Kerry CAMHS and the siloed system of operation must never be repeated.

   

• CAMHS waiting lists across the country remain disgracefully high three years after the Kerry South and North revelations, with 1,832 children waiting six months or more to be seen.

   

• Significant gaps remain in the newly proposed processes. The “central referral” process is not comprehensive, as it excludes assessment of need, family support therapies, and autistic children.

   

• Families and GPs must be assured that clinical governance structures are effective.

   

Labour Health Spokesperson Marie Sherlock TD has said that the report into Kerry CAMHS published today must mark a step change in the delivery of mental health care to children and adolescents with moderate to severe mental health difficulties in Ireland. Deputy Sherlock has called on the Government to address the very serious delays and gaps in CAMHS with urgency. Deputy Sherlock said:

“My thoughts are with the children and families who experienced significant harm in North Kerry CAMHS. The previous Maskey report, this report, and the testimony of parents of the young people impacted are absolutely harrowing and would send a chill down any parent’s spine. This must never be allowed to happen again. Every family, every child, and every GP must have full confidence that CAMHS can deliver the care that is absolutely essential to children and young people experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties.

“The story of CAMHS has unfortunately been one of patchy service provision and long waiting lists. More than 1,800 children with moderate to severe mental health difficulties across Ireland are waiting six months or longer for treatment. Every day, week, and month matters in a vulnerable child’s life. They need support now.

“The Minister for Health, the Minister of State for Mental Health, and the Government must now assure parents, children, and GPs that children and adolescents will receive timely mental health care, and that this care will be safe and effective. We must see a clear plan from the Minister outlining how she will intensify supports for CAMHS to provide adequate and safe staffing levels across the country and reduce waiting lists. While there was a funded waiting list plan for CAMHS last year, it is clear from growing waiting lists that this has not succeeded.

“I have spoken to GPs who serve some of our most disadvantaged areas, who dread and even avoid referring children and adolescents to CAMHS because of extensive waiting lists, the urgency of care, and the significant level of rejection for children and young people who are referred. A GP is knowledgeable enough to know when a child requires the care of CAMHS. There is a major question as to whether referrals are being rejected not because children do not meet the criteria, but because of a lack of capacity. It should not be the case that GPs struggle to have faith in a service that is so essential.

“And we know that more than 22,000 children across Ireland were waiting on primary care psychology waiting lists for more than six months at the end of December 2025. How long will those children have to wait before they require more intensive support, including from CAMHS? Every time a child needs support in Ireland, whether it is mental health or educational support, it always seems to be a battle.

“The report published today must mark a step change. The buck stops with the Minister to ensure that these issues are never repeated. Children and adolescents, their families, and health staff must have full confidence that young people will receive the adequate, safe, and timely care that they deserve.”