Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 March 2012
122 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when it is intended to have the 116000 missing children hotline up and running, in view of its importance in relation to finding missing children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14802/12]
View answer126 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will list the membership of the cross-sectoral project team tasked with advancing the 116000 missing children hotline; the number of times the group has met; the date on which the 116000 missing children hotline will be operational; the funding available for the continued operation of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14869/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 126 together.
My Department established and is leading a cross-sectoral Project Team, including representatives of my own Department, the Department of Justice and Equality, ComReg and An Garda Síochána to advance this matter. The project team has had three meetings since the 11th January 2012.
Comreg, who have responsibility for allocation of this number in Ireland, received an application to operate the Hotline from the ISPCC. Following cross departmental consultation and an examination of the issues involved by the Project team, Comreg has now allocated the number to the ISPCC. The ISPCC have undertaken to prepare an estimate of ongoing revenue funding costs for consideration by the Project Team.
In the coming months the Project Team will work to ensure that the Hotline becomes operational as soon as possible and operates in a way that supports and augments existing arrangements to secure child protection.
