An external lookback review into the standards of care provided by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) in North Kerry was published in February 2026.

A compensation scheme which covered those identified in an earlier review focused on South Kerry is now accepting applications from those who suffered harm in North Kerry.

The scheme is operated by the State Claims Agency on behalf of the HSE.

Affected young people will receive a letter inviting them to apply to the scheme, with an accompanying ‘frequently asked questions’ booklet, and associated helpline details to address any initial queries.

Young people and their families can apply to the scheme through their solicitor by writing to the HSE indicating they wish to enter the scheme. 

Mary Butler, minister of state in the Department of Health, said: “I am pleased to confirm I have approved the extension of the existing non-adversarial scheme to provide for young people and families impacted by deficits in care in North Kerry.

“The scheme for young people and families in South Kerry arising from the Maskey Report has worked well, and families have told me they appreciated the non-adversarial approach.”

HSE South West has also announced it is commissioning a comprehensive clinically-led further file review covering the period during which it had governance of CAMHS in North Kerry. This extends to all cases open to the service up to 21 November 2022.

Ms Butler said: “I welcome the further file review to be undertaken by HSE South West, and I am grateful to the team of professionals who have agreed to continue to support the process.

“The further review will clinically prioritise files where the potential for harm is deemed greatest in line with the findings of the North Kerry Lookback Review Report.

“This includes files of children in North Kerry with a diagnosis of mental health and intellectual disability, where children were prescribed neuroleptic (antipsychotic) medication, where children were receiving high dose psychotropic medication, and files where there is evidence of polypharmacy.

“Importantly, in extending the existing compensation scheme, I have also ensured that it covers any young people who may become eligible as the HSE undertakes its further file review. I wanted to guarantee that if a young person is identified as having suffered harm through the review of their file, they can apply to the scheme immediately.

“I will visit Kerry again in the coming weeks to meet with more families who have been in contact with me since the report was published last month.”