Child-begging sightings fall by third

CHILD-BEGGING sightings have fallen by a third in the first half of this year, according to the ISPCC’s Leanbh service.

While there has been a growth in the number of adults begging – largely attributed to the downturn in the economy – the Leanbh Service said it had noted a 30% fall in reports of child-begging in the first six months of 2009.

In addition, there was a 50% fall in sightings of child-begging in the first three months of the year, before a slight increase in the second quarter.

John Buckley of the Leanbh Service said: “We would like to think that our awareness campaigns, such as “Giving money is not the answer”, is having an effect. “Some people feel that giving money is the answer but we feel there are other ways of doing it.”

The service deals with new-born babies up to 18-year-old teenagers and has an on-call phone service which can be used by members of the public.

Leanbh also receives referrals from gardaí about children being placed in a risky environment.

Mr Buckley said the programme also facilitates links to education programmes or, for families, to organisations such as the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) if they are struggling to make ends meet.

Leanbh has also made efforts to engage with members of the Roma community, but John Buckley said child begging was not just a problem among foreign communities.

“We would never try and categorise people,” he said. “There are numerous reasons why children and families come out begging. People are being pushed to the margins and we believe there is a huge risk there.

“It’s very difficult to find services for young people and we strive to advocate on their behalf.”

Last November the Department of Justice said new laws would be introduced to tackle begging, particularly begging in which members of the public suffer intimidation and harassment.

“Intimidation and threats of violence are sometimes used by these people and women and the elderly are often fearful for their own personal safety,” Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said at the time. “In addition, it is very distressing to witness young children effectively forced on to the streets to beg by sinister adults.”

The proposed laws, contained in the Criminal Justice (Public Order) (Amendment) Bill, are nearing completion and will be published this Dáil term, the Department said yesterday.