Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I thank Senators for their contributions to the debate which has been extremely helpful. The first thing I will do is ensure the members of the project group receive a copy of the debate because every aspect of the setting up of the hotline has been raised in the contributions made. All of the key questions have been asked and the key points made about how we need to progress the issue.

I wish to make several points. I am establishing the project group and have asked for nominations from the relevant Departments and the Garda Síochána. I expect that we will have a meeting of the group in the next couple of weeks. Therefore, there has been no delay in setting it up.

Many of the questions raised need to be addressed by the project group. I was asked what was meant by "sustainable funding", which applies to everything set up in this day and age. What I mean by it is an appreciation of what the costs will be in the longer term. We want to ensure that if we start something, we will be able to continue.

I cannot give a figure to the House for the cost involved because the funding estimates vary widely and I want to ascertain first the projected level of usage.

For example, Senator van Turnhout makes a compelling case as it happened in Belgium. Obviously this depends on the number being known and on people being aware of its existence and being in a position to use it. I wish to ascertain the extent to which it has been used in other countries. The project team will assess this and will examine the costings in other countries. The Government certainly will link with NGOs to see if they are in a position to participate and I note the ISPCC has expressed some interest. However, I make the point that all organisations currently offering telephone counselling and services are under severe pressure in respect of costings. Some of the costings for services that are available at present have been very high. Many 116 numbers are in operation here at present. We do not wish to deflect from calls to the Garda where children are missing. This is extremely important and quite a number of Senators made that point. Interestingly, several Senators asked why one should not use the Garda numbers. Although other Senators entered some caveats in this regard, it is an issue that must be explored. It may be possible to establish a project to get this number in position and to review it thereafter to ascertain how effective it has been, what usage there has been and the costings. I am committed to doing this and there is ongoing work to be done.