The Ombudsman’s first annual report says children with mental health issues were being accommodated last year in adult psychiatric wards or general children's wards without mental health supports.

This was often due to bed shortages in adolescent psychiatric units.

The Ombudsman says young people needing care, compassion and specialist treatment were instead just put on suicide watch.

Dr Muldoon also criticises inappropriate placements in Direct Provision centres and in prisons.

He urged the Government to commit to legislating before the general election for the transfer of all 17-year-olds out of Wheatfield and St Patrick's prisons and to allow his office oversee the Direct Provision system.

Dr Muldoon said in the second quarter of last year, the Child and Family Agency had only assessed one in five reports of child abuse within the target time of 21 days, leaving over 2,000 children in a vulnerable situation.

He called on the State to ensure that Tusla has enough resources to protect children whose plight has prompted someone to make a report to the agency.

CEO Mary Flaherty added on RTE News that there must also be an adequate long-term therapeutic response for children after a disclosure of abuse has been made.

Read the report here:

Ombudsman for Children Annual Report 2014