Official figures show that the number of children and young people waiting over a year to see the state's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services increased by 10% between February and March.
The HSE figures were obtained by Fianna Fáil's Mental Health Spokesperson James Browne who described the increase as alarming.
Mr Browne predicted that the overall waiting list for the service will far exceed 3,000 before the year's end if the current trend continues.
Mr Browne received the latest CAMHS data in response to a parliamentary question.
It shows that between February and March this year, the number of children waiting over 12 months for an appointment increased from 350 to 386.
Overall, there were 2,691 waiting for appointments last March, a 4% increase on the previous month.
Mr Browne said the situation is unacceptable and shows that the Government's mental health strategy is floundering principally because of staff shortages.
The Psychiatric Nurses Association has described the latest figures as extremely disappointing.
In a statement the PNA says the data confirms its assessment that the delivery of those services throughout the country is chaotic as a result of a under-staffing and under-resourcing.
Meanwhile, Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI) has urged not-for-profit organisations to apply this week for funding support from its Youth Mental Health Fund.
The fund is open to all innovative projects offering either preventive supports or interventions to address young people's mental health.
SIFI's Marketing Manager Stephanie Walsh says the fund's objective is to provide meaningful, lasting support to innovative mental health programmes and initiatives that reach out to young people.
Successful applicants will receive a 50% uplift on funds raised, as well training workshops, impact measurement and access to a best-in-class peer network.
Applicants must have not-for-profit legal status to be considered for the scheme.
The closing date for applications for both funds is 18 May.
