A seven-year delay in appointing an Ombudsman for Children is due to the Government's desire not to be accountable, according to Father Peter McVerry, who has worked with homeless youths for decades.
The priest said the failure to establish the post of an independent champion for children's rights was damaging children.
Father McVerry, who runs a hostel for homeless young people in Dublin, yesterday joined a chorus of voices calling for the creation of the ombudsman's office, first promised in 1996 by the then Fine Gael/Labour/Democratic Left coalition.
Members of an umbrella organisation, the Children's Rights Alliance, accused the Government of "unwarranted stalling", and blamed the Department of Finance for withholding expenditure approval.
Father McVerry cited the example of a nine-year-old who was found sleeping on the streets a few months ago covered in lice. The High Court eventually ordered the health board to find accommodation for the child.
"Perhaps that's symbolic of the Government's attitude to young people: too little, too late."
The context of the delay in creating the ombudsman's post was that "children's rights and needs have never in my experience been seen as particularly important or urgent".
He contrasted this with the urgency devoted to the question of third-level fees for those who are wealthy and lucky enough to attend university.
Father McVerry said the delay was not about finance, but control. The Government was concerned "not to have to put up with any accountability, apart from accountability to themselves".
The Act to set up the post of the Ombudsman for Children as a protector and promoter of children's rights passed into law a year ago, and provides for the setting up of the office by end of April 2004.
However, Mr Owen Keenan, of Barnardos, said children's rights were infringed on a daily basis, and it would be "mean spirited" to wait until the last minute to fill the post.
Ms Nóirin Hayes, of the Dublin Institute of Technology's school of social sciences, said the Government had "nothing to fear" from the office, which could be very productive and beneficial for children, "and yet it seems the delays are due to fear".
The chief executive of the Children's Rights Alliance, Mr Raymond Dooley, contrasted the delays in the Republic with the North where interviews for a similar post of a Children's Commissioner are being held just months after the relevant laws were passed.
"These delays directly affect the most vulnerable children in our society. Children in care, children with special health and educational needs, children with disabilities and children living in poverty have been left without a strong, independent champion to promote their interests."
In response to yesterday's calls, the Minister for Children, Mr Brian Lenihan, said work was ongoing in the Department of Health and Children in relation to all aspects of establishing the office, including the appointment of the Ombudsman for Children.
"Officials from my Department are actively involved in ongoing discussions with the Department of Finance in relation to the staffing requirements of the office," the Minister said.
"I am totally committed to having the Office of the Ombudsman for Children in place by April next year, and am actively pursuing this."
A spokeswoman for the Department of Finance said funding for the office was earmarked in the Estimates.
The Green Party's justice spokesman, Mr Ciarán Cuffe, called for a Dáil debate on the failure to make the appointment.