Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 November 2012
573. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date on which the 116000 phone line will be operational; if it will be set up before or after the children's referendum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49591/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Universal Service Directive requires Member States to "make every effort to ensure that citizens have access to a service operating a hotline to report cases of missing children. The hotline shall be available on the number 116 000." The same Directive also requires Member States to "ensure that citizens are adequately informed of the existence and use of services provided under the 116 numbering range, in particular through initiatives specifically targeting persons travelling between Member States." The hotline service will operate on two levels: the reporting of a missing child to the relevant authorities - in this case, the Garda - and the provision of emotional support to parents of missing children. Under 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. Following cross-departmental consultation and an examination of the issues involved by the Project Team, ComReg, which has responsibility for the allocation of this number in Ireland, has now allocated the number to the ISPCC.
It is important to note that the 116000 number is not an emergency number. Emergency calls should always be directed to the 999/112 number in the first instance, where the relevant emergency responses, including the recently launched Garda Missing Children Amber Alert mechanism, may be activated. The establishment of the 116000 line will however, be of valuable support and assistance to families of missing children and to missing children themselves. In the interim the ISPCC has developed, with the 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 a child is calling for assistance, to contact the ISPCC. It is essential that the hotline service is operated in accordance with all best practice standards. In order to fulfil this, the ISPCC have advised that a phased implementation will be necessary. They envisage that the number will become operational in December 2012 from 22:00-16:00, 7 days a week, and will be operating on a 24-hour basis by February 2013. This will be considered a 'pilot' phase. This will give the ISPCC the time to complete the necessary training, develop and implement formal relationships with statutory authorities, overcome technical troubleshooting and prepare a 116 000 service launch and awareness campaign. It is intended that an official launch will take place on 25 May 2013, which is International Missing Children Day. The service launch bears particular importance as it is crucial that the public understand this is a support service rather than an emergency service. The service launch will comprise of a media and event launch, face to face outreaches by ISPCC service staff and promotional materials.
