John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans regarding the demand for a special unit within the police force to investigate cases of missing persons; if he will consider the on going use of qualified persons in this area of investigation from other jurisdiction; his plans to put in use the EU hotline number reserved by the EU commission since 2007 relative to missing children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17832/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that all incidents where a person has been reported missing remain under investigation until such times as the person is located. The District Officer (Superintendent) in the area where a person has gone missing takes direct responsibility for all investigations and searches carried out. Local investigation teams are appointed by the District Officer, and all means necessary, including the services of specialist units, are deployed to assist in these investigations, as considered appropriate.

The Garda Missing Persons Bureau, which is responsible for all data relating to missing persons, provides expert assistance and advice to District Officers in all high risk missing person cases. Incidents of persons reported missing are subject to review, on a regular basis, by the Missing Persons Bureau.

I am informed that the Garda authorities are satisfied that adequate resources, including staff and technological resources, are in place to deal with missing persons cases and are in line with best international practice.

The telephone number to which the Deputy refers has been reserved by the European Commission as a common missing children telephone hotline throughout the EU. It is made available by national telecoms regulators to organisations they consider to be qualified to offer such a service. The allocation of the number in Ireland is therefore a matter in the first instance for the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

I am informed that ComReg has published an information note on its website which makes all relevant information available to potential applicants who may wish to provide the 116 000 service. It also issued on a number of occasions national press advertisements inviting applications, most recently on 20 June.