The Mental Health Commission says it's totally unacceptable that children are still being admitted to the adult mental health unit at University Hospital Waterford.
The Commission says eight children were admitted to the Department of Psychiatry at UHW since last July, despite its lack of age-appropriate facilities.
A new inspection report found that the hospital is struggling to achieve compliance with regulations.
Compliance has decreased to a low level of 57 per cent.
Inspectors say there are a lack of age-appropriate facilities at the hospital, while also noting that not all staff involved in the care of children had the correct training.
There were also issues surrounding the hospital's use of CCTV, staffing, use of physical restraints and hygiene.
John Farrelly, the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Commission, says this is "totally unacceptable" but is still a common feature of mental health care practice in Ireland.
