Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when funding will be released to enable Ireland to implement the Europe wide missing children's hotline; and the reason for the delays in the number being fully implemented here. [19976/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for tabling this question. The European Commission Decision of February 2007 harmonised numbers for services of social value on the 116 number range. ComReg is the competent national regulatory authority in Ireland responsible for assigning 116 numbers to prospective service providers. ComReg has informed me that the numbers 116111 and 116123 were assigned to Childline and the Samaritans after consultation with the Department of Health and Children and that the 116000 number has been set aside as a missing children hotline. The 116000 hotline service operates on two levels, namely, the reporting of a missing child to the relevant authorities, that is, the Garda, and the provision of emotional support to parents of missing children. The 116000 service is currently active in 11 of the 27 EU member states. Funding for the provision of the 116000 service relates not only to call costs but also to the resourcing of a 24 hours a day, seven days a week operation. How to finance and provide this service has been a significant issue in all member states.

The introduction of a missing children's hotline has been the subject of discussions between my Department, other Departments and prospective service providers, including NGOs. In particular, the notification of a missing child is a matter for the Garda Síochána and accordingly I am in contact with my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Deputy Shatter, in seeking to jointly achieve the establishment of this service. Different costings for such a service have been calculated by NGOs interested in providing the service. Obviously, in the current financial situation, it is essential that the most economic approach possible be taken to providing any service. I hope that with a partnership approach we can achieve a cost-effective solution in respect of the implementation of this EU initiative.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for her reply. Like Deputy Ó Caoláin, I welcome the establishment of this new Ministry dedicated to children. The issue of missing children is probably central to its work.

In a reply to a previous question, the Minister referred to having the interests of children at heart. Everyone is aware that in the case of a missing child, the first 24 hours are vital. The family of Madeleine McCann obtained a high profile in respect of that matter. Thousands of children go missing each day. Significant numbers of unaccompanied minors, particularly those from other jurisdictions, go missing in this country. Do I take it that the Minister is actively seeking the necessary resources to allow this missing children hotline to be put into operation in the near future?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I cannot provide the Deputy with a timeframe but I certainly want the hotline to be established. It has not been established up to now. Since taking office I have initiated discussions in respect of it. In that context, I have discussed the matter with one of the NGOs that might be interested in providing the service. It is estimated that it will take approximately €120,000 to set up and that a minimum of €80,000 will be required each year for its operation.

I understand the Deputy's concern with regard to unaccompanied children who went missing from various hostels in the past. Such children no longer stay in hostels. The Garda Síochána previously ran a similar telephone line but because few, if any, calls were received, this was discontinued. A number of issues arise with regard to the best use of resources. There is an obligation on us at EU level to put a telephone hotline of this nature in place. I want to ensure that we will provide it but there are issues regarding its use, publicising its existence and supporting it financially. I am pursuing the matter and I hope to be in a position to report progress on it at some point in the near future.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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A couple of years ago the dial to stop drug dealing campaign was established and a freefone number was provided. The latter has been very successful and has led to significant developments in the area of dealing with illegal drugs. This is an example of a freefone line which does work.