A new report shows more than 4,500 children are waiting to access mental health services.
The Mental Health Commission has published its latest review into Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and says parts of it are 'dysfunctional' and 'unsafe'.
The report found some improvements to the service had been made in recent months - noting a database for children and adolescents on medication had been set up in Cavan/Monaghan and funding had also been made available to help children with ADHD.
However, the report also found “evidence of dysfunctional team working in one team” and there were “serious concerns about the management of clinical files” in another.
In addition, there are not enough staff members to cope with an increasing population and recruitment and retention are also issues in parts of the country.
Mental Health Commission CEO John Farrelly said it is notable that the quality of care varies across Ireland.
“If a child goes into a service in one part of the country, they’re not guaranteed that they’ll get the same service they would in another part of the country.
“So, really what we’re finding is a variation across the country, there’s issues around staffing [and] there’s issues around monitoring of medication.”
