The Labour Party spokeswoman on children, Ms Roisin Shortall TD, has called on the Government to ensure that children admitted to hospital are cared for separately from adults.
Her comments came after the publication of a report yesterday which showed that half of all children and adolescents admitted to hospitals are treated in adult facilities.
The findings of the report, commissioned by a parents' support group, Children in Hospital Ireland (CHI), were described as "alarming" by the group's development director, Ms Mary O'Connor.
"It is clear that many children and adolescents are not being cared for in an environment appropriate to their needs, and this goes against recognised good practice," she said.
The report is based on information obtained from 27 regional, general and specialist hospitals.
Overall, the findings show that of all admissions of patients under 18 years, 56 per cent were to adult wards. The young people were in hospital in most cases for surgery.
Those attending the publication of the report heard anecdotal evidence of children who had been cared for in wards with adults.
The CHI chairwoman, Ms Clare Connaughton, told how 25 years ago her 15-year-old sister had been terrified after being put in a ward with two elderly women who died during the night.
She said there were more recent incidences of boys and girls being put in wards with elderly, confused and often terminally ill patients.
The group is calling for an examination of practices in hospitals where children are cared for with adults.
It also recommends that separate adolescent units be set up in hospitals.
The CHI has also called on the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Cowen, to implement guidelines for hospitals in relation to the issue.
The vice-president of the group, Dr Kevin Connolly, a paediatrician at Portiuncula Hospital, Co Galway, said the changes recommended in the report would cost little and would take up few beds.
"What the changes would require is the maturity of those who have carried out the practice of nursing children in adult wards to accept this criticism," he said.
Ms Shortall said the results of the report were "shocking".
"The challenge now is for the Minister to devise and implement an action plan which will ensure that children admitted to hospital get the care and attention they need in appropriate wards," she said.
A spokesman for the Minister said he did not feel able to comment until he had seen the full report.