ISPCC launches hotline for missing children and their families

The ISPCC has set up a new support telephone service for children who are missing and families affected by a child who has gone missing.

The new 116000 hotline is now fully operational in Ireland and is designed to give free emotional support and advice to a child who has run away.

The line is also being made available to parents of missing children or anyone who is connected to a child who has run away or has been abducted.

Rhona McGinn of the ISPCC said the gardaí should still be notified if a child has gone missing.

"(The support line) is not an emergency service," she said. "If there's an emergency in relation to a child going missing, it's very important to call the Gardaí - they are the emergency service."

She said the ISPCC was working with all relevant agencies to ensure a "seamless service" for missing young children and their families.