Charles Flanagan
Ceist:43 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his views on the establishment of a missing children’s helpline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42828/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 17 November 2010
Ceisteanna (10)
Freagraí ó Béal (18 píosaí cainte)
An Garda Síochána is responsible for the investigation of persons, including of course children, reported missing in circumstances which give rise to concern. The Garda emergency numbers, 112 and 999, are available for this purpose. In line with a commitment in the Programme for Government 2007, I asked the Garda Síochána Inspectorate to examine current Garda practice with regard to missing persons. The inspectorate found overall that Garda systems for handling missing persons cases are in line with international best practice. It made 18 recommendations on how these systems can be further enhanced, and their implementation is well advanced.
The recommendations did not include the establishment of a helpline of the kind referred to by the Deputy, although I do not suggest that the inspectorate would be opposed to such a development. A missing persons helpline is operated by Missing in Ireland Support Services, which can deal with cases of missing children. The Deputy may have in mind the telephone number 116000, which has been reserved by the European Commission as a common number for missing children hotlines in EU member states. Member states are obliged to reserve the number and promote it, encourage the provision of the service, ensure that citizens are adequately informed about it and make every effort to ensure that citizens have access to a service. They are not, however, obliged to ensure the service is provided.
In fulfilment of these obligations, the Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, has advertised on a number of occasions, inviting prospective service providers — in effect voluntary organisations — that feel they are qualified to offer the service to apply for allocation of the number. They have not been in a position to allocate the number so far. I have asked my Department to keep in contact with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources about this matter.
In expressing disappointment at the Minister's reply, I remind him of his statement on 14 April 2009 when announcing——
The Deputy knows quoting is not allowed. He can refer to the statement.
He can summarise.
I remind the Minister of his statement wherein he announced he was giving the go-ahead to what was described as the amber alert system in respect of missing children. This has resulted in inaction on his part since the announcement. On the matter of emergency numbers, why did the Minister not refer to the setting up of the 116000 helpline, which is common in other EU jurisdictions? The aim of this would be to provide an emergency alarm number that would be known by the citizens not only of this jurisdiction but also of jurisdictions throughout the EU but the Minister has failed in that regard.
I welcome the inspectorate's recommendation on the amber alert and I gave the go-ahead for the establishment of an alert system.
What happened to the go-ahead?
The Garda is currently exploring options to achieve the most appropriate structure to give effect to the recommendation taking account of progress at international level in the development of alert systems for missing children that will explore cross-jurisdictional dimensions.
With regard to the issue of the European number, ComReg has allocated that number and it has invited——
There has been no take-up.
Perhaps it is safer to say that ComReg has not been able to allocate it and this matter will be kept under review by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and ComReg.
Will the Minister confirm there is a designated officer in each Garda division in which there is situated a residence in the form of a care home for children dealing with missing children? If not, why not?
How many children are currently missing in this jurisdiction?
That is an extension of the question, which is specific.
It is essential in the context of a reply.
I have been informed by the Garda that between 2001 and 1 November 2010, the number recorded of missing persons who are under 18 years was 352.
And no helpline.
A number of them were found in the meantime.
With regard to the issue of missing children, there is a joint Garda-HSE protocol on the roles and responsibilities of both agencies in regard to children missing from care. It was agreed in April 2009 and it relates to the establishment of a Garda local liaison role with HSE placements and this is working extremely well. The role includes a mechanism to identify children in care who are reported missing frequently and raises the possibility of referring such cases to the appropriate level of authority in both organisations.
Is there a designated officer? That has not been confirmed.
Yes, there is a local liaison role, which is that of a designated officer. The HSE has commenced a process to change its model of care for separated minors such that they can avail of foster care and residential arrangements across a broader spectrum than previously available. A protocol which provides for a review of its implementation is currently ongoing between the Garda and the HSE.