Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 647: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will take steps to urgently put in place the necessary funding to ensure that the missing persons helpline is restored to full operation; if he will make contact with the Missing in Ireland Support Service which has been set up to work in conjunction with the said helpline as a referral service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16718/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed that funding to support the operation of a missing persons helpline is being considered by Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime, on foot of an application by Missing in Ireland Support Services (MISS). The Commission, established in March 2005 with a three year remit, was given two main functions:

to distribute funding for organisations that give support to victims of crime, and

to develop a framework for services to victims of crime.

I understand that the Commission has been in ongoing contact with the Chairperson of MISS over the past few months and that support has been offered for the operation of the helpline. I am further informed that the Chairperson of the Commission together with another member of the Commission met with representatives of MISS on Wednesday 20 June 2007 to further consider their application for funding to establish a missing persons helpline and to provide such ongoing supports as are necessary to operate such a helpline. It should be borne in mind that the Commission is charged with funding support services for victims of crime, and that, while some persons who are missing are crime victims, most are not.

I should point out that the Commission is entirely independent in the performance of its functions and it would not be appropriate for me to comment or intervene in any way with a decision taken by the Commission in relation to the allocation of funding.