Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The ISPCC is an excellent organisation with which my officials and I work very closely on a number of fronts. Most recently, we have worked with it on the cases of children who have been made homeless. It is regrettable that it has decided that it has to close the office in Waterford and the two services it provides there. I understand from our recent conversations with it that any child from Waterford and the south east will continue to have full access to Childline. My understanding of how the service works is that when a child calls, he or she may be connected to a person who could be in any part of the country. I understand the mentoring service that is run from the office is mostly provided by volunteers for the ISPCC. They are finishing their work with some children and families. In cases where they have not finished it, they are working with local services to hand them over. That is my understanding of how, in the context of the decision to close, the ISPCC is ensuring the children in need will receive what they require. I will continue to work closely with the ISPCC to see if it is possible to find further funding in the new year.

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