The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) will launch its hotline number for missing children today.
The 116-000 number will take calls from the general public, from family members of a missing child and a child who is missing. The line will also provide emotional support to children who are missing, their families and offer guidance and advice to callers.
The Children's Minister Frances Fitzgerald along with the ISPCC and Gardai will launch the service later.
The hotline became operational here on a pilot basis back in December 2012 and is now running on a 24-hour basis.
There are a number of support options available with the service:
By dialling 116 000 the caller will be linked to someone they can talk to about the issue
The ‘116 000 automated text support service’. The Hotline can now send an automated supportive message, to a young person who is missing or thought to have runaway, to let them know about the hotline number; that it is a freephone number, that calls are not traced and that they can call in confidence. (This service will only be provided following receipt of written parental consent).
Advice and guidance are also available on the Missing Children’s Hotline website www.missingchildrenshotline.ie
The ISPCC says that the the establishment of the service "shows that there is a real commitment by the Irish government and the EU to address the issue of missing children at both a national and European level, through prevention and protection and through meaningful interagency partnerships".
The organisation has also announced that it will be the recipient of European Commission funding for 2013 and 2014 - and the recipient of financial support from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs for 2013 - for over €320,000.
"A parent’s worst nightmare"
Ashley Balbirnie is CEO of the ISPCC "A child going missing is a parent’s worst nightmare and the ISPCC is delighted that after several years of advocating for this vital service, we are finally able to provide support to children and families on a 24 hour basis" she said.
"The ISPCC has extensive experience providing listening services to children as we are now in our 25th year of Childline so we feel that running this hotline is something that we are well placed to do" she added.
Minister Fitzgerald says "For those children who are still missing and even for those who may be considered missing only for one day, there is a family member or significant other who is worried, frightened and distressed and that there is a child out there feeling scared and alone because they are either in danger or have left their home. The 116000 Hotline is now available as an extra resource to these families and children. It will help provide the emotional support and information needed during such a difficult time".
