Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2012
574 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the 11600 missing child telephone number; the timeline for setup and operation of the line; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25094/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder EU telecoms rules agreed in 2009, the 116000 number is reserved in all EU member states for a missing children hotline. 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 position is that 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 operation of the Hotline is now a matter for the ISPCC who have made an application for funding to the European Commission and a decision on this application is pending. The ISPCC are currently finalising the project plan for the Hotline.
The Project Team has met with the ISPCC and 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.
In the meantime the ISPCC has developed, with An Garda Síochána, an interim response that is currently heard if one rings the 116000 number. The number advises callers to report a missing child to An Garda Síochána and if it is a child calling for assistance to contact the ISPCC.
