Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for the setting up of the 116000 EU hotline number for missing children; if he will expedite the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13481/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I do not have a policy function in relation to the provision of a service for reporting missing children. The allocation of specific numbers in the 116 number range, which are reserved for services of social value, is managed in Ireland by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). The role of ComReg is limited to the assignment of the number to an appropriate service provider. Once the number has been assigned, it is a matter for the service provider to provide the service. Neither ComReg nor my Department has any function in providing such services or the remit to require any organisation to provide the service.

While the number 116000 has been specifically reserved for a hotline for missing children, it will not become operational until it is assigned to an appropriate service provider. ComReg has published an information notice on its website which makes all relevant information available to potential applicants who may wish to provide the 116000 service. It also issued corresponding national press advertisements inviting applications for the number in question. Unfortunately, to date, no applications have been received in respect of the 116000 service.

The Department of Justice, Equality and Defence and the Department of Health and Children, have policy functions in the area of missing children and child protection respectively and the question of providing a missing children's hotline has been raised with them. Officials from my Department are continuing to engage with those Departments on this issue.