Pan-EU suicide helpline held back by lack of funds

A NEW pan-EU helpline for people with suicidal thoughts cannot be introduced by the Samaritans in the Republic because of fears that the cost of running the service would “financially cripple” the charity.

Efforts to establish a similar EU-wide hotline for reporting missing children has also been met with a lukewarm response by Government, despite 42 children being reported missing in Ireland already this year.

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) has offered to run the helpline for missing children if the Government would provide €80,000 per annum.