4 years after the EU designated the number “116000” as a specific pan-EU hotline to co-ordinate and assist in missing children investigations, Ireland has yet to set up this hotline.
Wicklow Fine Gael TD, Simon Harris has raised in the Dáil the need for Ireland to prioritise the establishment of a missing children’s hotline in line with European plans announced 4 years ago to have all EU countries work together and co-ordinate on this important issue.
Deputy Harris table an adjournment motion on the matter and the issue was taken in Dáil Éireann yesterday evening (Thursday).
Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Harris said, “In 2007 the EU created a designated number – 11600 – as a single point of contact across the EU to assist with missing children investigations. The purpose of the hotline was three fold; to take calls regarding missing children and liaise with the police, to provide a point of support and guidance for parents and family members of missing children and to support and help co-ordinate on-going investigative efforts. Yet four years have now passed and Ireland has yet to establish this designated number here in our country.”
“This is an important matter pertaining to the well-being of every child in Ireland and the State act to ensure that we do not become the European ‘poor relation’ on this issue. I believe 13 EU countries have already established this hotline and it is now longer overdue time that Ireland got its act together on this issue,” stated Deputy Harris.
“The response to my raising of this issue in the Dáil from the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs was positive and she has undertaken to advance the matter and has she has also now written to the Minister for Justice to co-ordinate efforts with his Department. I intend to continue to pursue this matter with the Government and would urge that the Department of Children liaise with the NGOs and charities in Ireland who have already done so much good work in the area of supporting children and attempt to harness the expertise they have garnered. I also intend to write to the European Commission on this matter,” concluded Deputy Harris.
“The response to my raising of this issue in the Dáil from the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs was positive and she has undertaken to advance the matter and has she has also now written to the Minister for Justice to co-ordinate efforts with his Department. I intend to continue to pursue this matter with the Government and would urge that the Department of Children liaise with the NGOs and charities in Ireland who have already done so much good work in the area of supporting children and attempt to harness the expertise they have garnered. I also intend to write to the European Commission on this matter,” concluded Deputy Harris.
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