Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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148. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of comments made by her following the special section 42 inquiry in relation to encouraging persons to report concerns they have regarding children, if persons can do this through calling the 116000 missing children hotline. [30548/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I would emphasise, at the outset, that any person with child welfare or protection concerns should report them to An Garda Síochána or Tusla (The Child and Family Agency) which are the statutory agencies with responsibility for such concerns.

Insofar as the 116 000 hotline is concerned, the Deputy will be aware this number has been reserved by the European Commission as a common missing children telephone hotline for the entire EU. In Ireland, the hotline is operated by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) under the aegis of the Department of Children & Youth Affairs. It is important to appreciate that the overall objective of the hotline is to provide advice, guidance and emotional support to families and loved ones of children reported missing and, indeed, missing children, rather than as an emergency service for reporting specific child protection and welfare concerns.

I am informed that where callers require assistance outside the scope of the service the ISPCC will direct them to the appropriate emergency or other service. I am assured that the ISPCC operate in compliance with the Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. A Memorandum of Understanding is in place between the ISPCC and the Garda authorities with regard to the operation of the hotline, including the reporting of any child protection and welfare concerns by the ISPCC to the statutory authorities.