The Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) has expressed "grave concern" over the treatment of a 13-year-old girl in State care who was placed in an adult psychiatric hospital for several months.
The girl had originally been placed in a high-support unit in the mid-west, a category of accommodation established in response to cases before the High Court where facilities for children with challenging behaviour were considered inadequate.
However, when the facility was inspected earlier this year, officials from the Social Services Inspectorate found she was placed in the adult unit of a psychiatric hospital.
She had been placed in the psychiatric ward on five occasions, the longest of which was over three months.
While it has been established that some children have been placed in adult psychiatric hospitals before, the practice of putting children in State care into these settings will place further focus on the controversial practice.
The high-support unit had taken the girl on an emergency placement from an adult psychiatric hospital in an effort to provide treatment for her in a more appropriate environment.
The head of the inspectorate, Michelle Clarke, told The Irish Times that while the case reflected a dearth of suitable facilities for children, the rights of a child could not be promoted in a setting that was not designed for the care of children.
"It's a clear breach of children's rights. These are children in care, they are cared for by public policies," Ms Clarke said.
"It's not appropriate for children to share any kind of ward setting with adults, particularly in psychiatric settings which can be very frightening."
"Adult psychiatric nurses are not trained in the area of child development. There are methods of physical control and restraint in adult wards. We also have to be aware of a child's education needs and rights."
The inspectorate has told the Health Service Executive (HSE) that it has "grave concerns" over the treatment of the girl and asked the most senior official in this area in the health service - the national director for primary, community and continuing care - to review the use of adult psychiatric facilities.
A spokesman for the HSE said it shared the concerns of the inspectorate and initiated a review of the case two weeks ago.
Official figures for the psychiatric services in 2003 show that more than 60 children were admitted to psychiatric care. More than 20 of these children were admitted to adult units.
The Children's Ombudsman, Emily Logan, has expressed concern that the practice of admitting children to adult psychiatric hospitals may be in breach of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Ms Logan, who has the authority to examine and investigate complaints against public bodies, such as health boards, has said she is willing to investigate if complaints were made to her regarding inadequate treatment.
The Social Services Inspectorate report was critical of the high-support unit for the 13-year-old girl. It found that management of the girl's behaviour did not reach required standards.
While her health and educational needs were well met, it said high levels of monitoring and support needed to address the girl's behaviour were not being implemented effectively.
"The therapeutic programme should have been monitored more rigorously," the report said.