Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, addresses Girl Guides in Thurles, Co Tipperary.
As over 100 children present themselves for Confirmation in Thurles Cathedral this morning, it is nice to learn that a new free 116000 Hotline for Missing Children, operated by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) is now being manned on a full time 24/7 basis. The project was begun in December 2012 last, originally on a reduced hourly pilot scheme.
Fine Gael Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, who established a Project Team to oversee the establishment of this Hotline, has announced that the Telephone line is now operating on a full time basis.
Minister Fitzgerald stated: “I am delighted to be able to announce the commencement of full time operation in Ireland of the 116000 Hotline for Missing Children. This service provides an important support for children missing from home and for their families. I wish to commend the commitment and interest shown by the ISPCC in seeking to progress provision of this Hotline.”
The Minister is adamant that the importance of this hotline cannot be understated and is now and will be in the future a lifeline for children who go missing from home and for parents / guardians requiring emotional support and information.
Under European Union Telecom Rules, latter which were agreed way back in 2009, the Hotline number 116000 was reserved in all EU Member States for the purpose of assisting & aiding in the fast location of children lost, missing or forcibly removed without parental permission.
The 116000 Missing Children Hotline will be formally launched on June 5th 2013 here in Ireland, so Thurles parents / guardians / teachers do make a mental note of the number.
The now operational Missing Children Hotline Project Team will include representatives of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Department of Justice and Equality, ComReg and An Garda Síochána.
Photo courtesy G.Willoughby.
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