Minister of State with Responsibility for Mental Health Mary Butler has expressed her gratitude to the whistleblower who highlighted concerns in Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
It comes after it emerged that Dr Maya Sharma has been forced to sleep rough in London, having had difficulties in finding work since raising red flags about prescribing practices at South Kerry CAMHS.
The psychiatrist's concerns have since been vindicated in two major HSE reports. The Maskey and Halpin Reviews concluded that hundreds of children were put in harm's way due to the care they received, including the prescribing of heavy anti-psychotic medication.
Dr Sharma, who was known as Dr Ankur Sharma when working in Kerry but has since transitioned female, claims they were "blacklisted" and "ghosted" after their whistleblowing.
Dr Sharma took a lawsuit against the HSE over alleged mistreatment after turning a whistleblower. Although the HSE filed a defence in the case, a settlement was reached following mediation - with the Executive paying out 75,000 in damages.
Their case was raised by now President Catherine Connolly in the Dáil in 2023, who said the medic was "sidelined and obliged to leave the country".
Dr Sharma has since been unable to find full-time employment in England, telling RTÉ's Drivetime how they feel adverse perceptions may have preceded their arrival in the UK.
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