The Kerry mental health scandal review cost the HSE nearly €215,000, according to Freedom of Information figures.

The review, carried out by British-based consultant Sean Maskey and a team of experts, found that 46 children suffered 'significant harm' due to over-medication by a junior doctor in south Kerry CAMHS.

It also found that the care received by a total of 240 young people was sub-standard - with examples of "unreliable diagnoses, inappropriate prescriptions and poor monitoring of treatment and potential adverse effects".

The affected children suffered issues including weight gain, sedation, elevated blood pressure and galactorroea (the production of breast milk).

The government is now finalising a compensation scheme for the children – something consultant psychiatrist Patricia Casey told Newstalk is badly needed.

“Some of them may need psychological therapies,” she said.

“Some will need - if they have long-standing or potentially long-standing problems as a result of this - will need assurances about long-term care in terms of medical card-free hospital access, free ongoing therapy and all of that.”

Professor Casey said the State is responsible for the oversight all mental health services.

“It falls with them when there are major shortcomings and potentially negligent behaviours to compensate those who are suffering as a result.”

Dr Maskey set out 35 recommendations for the Kerry service to implement in the report and the HSE has pledged to implement them as quickly as possible.

Following the report’s publication, the Children’s Ombudsman Dr Niall Muldoon expressed is “absolute shock and horror” at its findings.

Meanwhile HSE chief Paul Reid said the HSE was ‘investing heavily’ in mental health but insisted rural roles remain hard to fill.