Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 478: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider the introduction of the EU recommended hotline number for missing persons 116000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20071/10]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 483: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if the EU hotline number for missing children will be made available in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20517/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 478 and 483 together.

The European Commission published a Commission Decision dated the 15th February 2007 entitled "Reserving the national numbering range beginning with "116" for harmonised numbers for harmonised services of social value".

The allocation of specific numbers in the 116 number range in Ireland is managed by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which published (July 2007) and advertised (November 2007) the existence of the number range and invited suitable applicants to apply for the setting up of services.

I am advised by ComReg that Childline commenced a service using the telephone number 116111 in April 2009 and that the number 116123 has been allocated to the Samaritans.

It is open to other organisations to apply to ComReg for the allocation of additional numbers from this numbering range. I am informed by ComReg that no organisation has yet applied for the missing children hotline number 116000.