Childline responded to 1,200 calls on Christmas Day

Childline responded to more than 1,200 calls and messages from young people who needed to talk on Christmas Day.

The service, run by the Irish Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Children, said the volume of contacts highlighted how the festive period can be a difficult time for many young people.

It said the majority of calls were from children experiencing family difficulties or mental health problems.

"The season can bring unwelcome stress on families and issues such as financial pressures and alcohol misuse in the home can have a hugely negative impact on children's experience of the day," Margie Roe, Childline's national manager said.

She said Childline’s 57 volunteers were in a position to spent time listening or helping to empower young people in difficult circumstances throughout Christmas Day.

The charity has been at the centre of a funding crisis and warned over recent months that it would need to shut down its night-time services unless it raised more than €1 million.

Earlier this week, however, it announced it will be in a position to continue its 24-hour service following a major response from the public and a funding pledge from the Government.

Members of the public donated some €400,000 to date following an emergency appeal, while Minister for Children James Reilly has pledged a similar sum on behalf of the Government over a two-year period.

In return for State funding, the organisation says it will work with the Department of Children to support developments in the area of child protection.

The ISPCC, which runs Childline, has expressed thanks to the support the organisation has received over recent months.

Part of the agreement will include Childline assisting the department in exploring the enhanced use of technology to assist with the roll-out of the State’s policy on the handling of child protection concerns.

Children First, which sets out reporting obligations for concerns over potential child abuse or neglect, is due to be placed on a statutory footing for the first time next year.

The ISPCC has also agreed to provide information to the Government departments regarding “hidden harm” issues as reported by children and young people to Childline.

The information will help departments to identifying the needs of children and young people within their families and the level of that need.

* Childline is continuing its fundraising drive and has invited donors to contribute on-line at www.savechildline24.ie or by making a €4 text donation