The Children's Ombudsman has expressed concern that the practice of admitting children into adult psychiatric hospitals may be in breach of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Ombudsman was reacting to an article in The Irish Times which reported that 24 children under the age of 16, many of whom do not have a mental illness, were admitted to or detained in adult psychiatric units last year.
Ms Emily Logan, who was appointed Ombudsman for Children last year, said health authorities may be breaching children's rights by failing to provide appropriate treatment facilities. She also said the lack of specialist treatment facilities for 16-to-18-year-olds with mental health problems may be discriminatory and in breach of the UN convention.
Ms Logan, who has the authority to examine and investigate complaints against public bodies, such as health boards, said she was willing to investigate the area if complaints were made to her regarding inadequate treatment.
"My role is to promote children's rights and this practice is an obvious example of our lack of recognition for children as rights holders," she said.
"There have been task forces and numerous expert groups which have clearly indicated what needs to happen in this area, but we haven't seen enough action yet."
Her comments come as the Government is drafting a progress report for the UN detailing its compliance with the convention as part of a five-year review process.
By ratifying the UN convention in 1992, the Government has a binding obligation under international law to ensure that its terms are honoured.
In the last progress report in 1998, the UN expressed concern at the high rate of suicide among teenagers.
It also expressed concern at the lack of data or statistics for children and adolescents with mental health problems.
The UN's Committee on the Rights of the Child concluded: " are concerned about the lack of a national policy to ensure the rights of children with disabilities and the lack of adequate programmes and services addressing the mental health of children and their families."
