Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)

The missing children hotline is operational in 15 European Union member states and the European Commission is considering the possibility of introducing sanctions against member states which have not yet introduced the service. In Belgium the system was first run by a local group, Child Focus, which received 50% state funding and 50% private funding as well as further Government assistance towards establishing the service. Part of the problem with the ComReg advertisements is that no one has been in a position to come forward and operate the hotline here. What plans does the Minister have to provide assistance, if required, to get the hotline operational? Is it her intention to take primary responsibility for ensuring it becomes operational?

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