Delay in hotline for children criticised

IT IS embarrassing that a hotline for missing children is not yet operating despite the freephone number having been available for more than four years, a Government TD has said.

Simon Harris of Fine Gael said the delay in introducing the Europe-wide hotline was “utterly unacceptable and at this point is becoming embarrassing in Europe”.

The Dáil’s youngest deputy, who worked for Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald in the last Oireachtas, called on Ms Fitzgerald to ensure Ireland was brought into line with other European countries that have introduced the service using the number 116000.

“It is one thing being the poor relation in Europe economically, but we must not become the poor relation when it comes to issues of child protection. I urge the Minister to take action on this issue which has been dragging on for far too long,” he said.

In 2007, the European Commission required member states to reserve phone numbers in the 116 range for socially important services which could be accessed in any member state.

When Mr Harris raised the issue in the Dáil recently, Minister of State John Perry responded on behalf of Ms Fitzgerald. Mr Perry said the 116000 telephone number was active in 11 of the 27 EU member states and had been assigned in 13 countries.

Ms Fitzgerald intended to ensure every effort was made to have the hotline up and running as soon as possible, Mr Perry said. He described the establishment of the hotline as “a cross-departmental issue”, and said Ms Fitzgerald would write to Minister for Justice Alan Shatter “to make arrangements for the progression of this issue”.

The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) managed the allocation of such numbers in Ireland, he said. “To date ComReg has designated the following numbers: 116111 is assigned to Childline; 116123 is assigned to Samaritans; 116006 was assigned to the crime victims helpline; and 116000 was assigned to missing children. While these numbers have been assigned, the crime victims helpline is, like the missing child hotline, not yet operational,” Mr Perry said.

The hotline would take calls on missing children and liaise with An Garda Síochána, provide a point of support and guidance for parents and family members of missing children and support ongoing investigative efforts.