Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 March 2009
45 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he will activate the European wide hotline for missing children; the reason there has been a two year delay in implementing this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10518/09]
View answerThe European Commission published a Commission Decision dated 15 February 2007 entitled "Reserving the national numbering range beginning with "116" for harmonised numbers for harmonised services of social value".
The purpose of this decision is to reserve the 116 telephone number range for use for social services in Ireland. The allocation of specific numbers in the 116 number range in Ireland is managed by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).
I am advised by the Commission for Communications Regulation that Childline is planning to commence a service using the telephone number 116111 later this month and that the number 116123 has been allocated to the Samaritans.
It is open to other organisations to apply to ComReg for the allocation of additional numbers from this numbering range.
