The government's expected to be told it's failing the mental health needs of Ireland's children.

This year's 'report card' from the Children's Rights Alliance will today give the government an 'E' grade in the area of mental health - that's down from a 'D' last year.

Rights campaigners say progress on important areas of service has been either delayed or unsatisfactory.

The coalition's also under fire for continuing to place children in adult psychiatric units - 68 cases were recorded last year, when the target was less than 50.