The Children's Ombudsman claims young people have died by suicide because of the Government's 'inaction' on mental health.
He's extremely critical of the State's failure to put in place an initiative that was first suggested more than five years ago.
Dr Niall Muldoon has written a detailed letter to Health Minister Simon Harris about the delay in implementing the Pathfinder Project for Youth Mental Health.
It's been released under the Freedom of Information Act.
The Ombudsman says the concept was first suggested in 2014 and would involve three government departments working as a single unit.
He claims not implementing the unit has been ‘catastrophic’ for the most vulnerable and at-risk children.
Dr Muldoon told Minister Harris that many thousands of children have been left on waiting lists for years, and been turned away from adolescent units.
He says they've had to suffer the pain and anguish of being detained adult units.
"It really is very concerning for me".
"Minister Harris has set it as a clear departmental and Government priority, yet there's no action in bringing the unit to fruition."
In response, Minister Harris told Dr Muldoon that the Pathfinder initiative remains a priority and that officials are currently looking into the legalities involved in setting it up.
