Waterford is one of 19 out of 26 counties that has no acute beds in child mental health services.
According to figures obtained by Fianna Fáil, there's just 74 acute beds available for children nationwide.
They're in Community Healthcare Organisations in Dublin, Cork and Galway,
However in the area covering Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipp there are just 88 acute beds available for adults and none for children.
The issue has been raised in the Dail previously by Waterford TDs.
Fianna Fáil Mental Health Spokesperson James Browne TD says “It seems extraordinary to me that there are no beds in the South East, the Mid West, the Midlands and the North West. I have no doubt that the absence of such beds leads to children being admitted to adult units and worse, waiting for hours in very unsuitable A&E Departments.
“Parents especially in rural areas will not want to send their children vast distances for care. It’s a traumatic enough time for all and separation from local communities is unlikely to be conducive to a recovery process.
“This is yet another example of the inadequate services currently being provided in child mental health services nationally."
