Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012
817 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if an application for funding from an organisation (details supplied) has been received regarding funding for the Missing Children Hotline 116000; the funding that will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27249/12]
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 a successful application for funding to the European Commission. The ISPCC are currently finalising the project plan for the Hotline. To date no application for Exchequer funding has been received by my Department from the ISPCC. In the event that such an application is forthcoming it will be considered in the context of the ongoing work of the Project Team which has met with the ISPCC and is working 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 interim, a holding response is currently heard if an individual rings the 116000 number. The number advises callers wishing to report a missing child to contact An Garda Síochána and advises children seeking assistance to contact the ISPCC.
