Minister asks dept officials to meet ISPCC over funds shortfall

The Children's Minister James Reilly has signalled he may intervene to save Childline's 24-hour service.

The phone service faces closure at night time as it struggles to raise the money to keep the service going.

The ISPCC says 45,000 calls would go unanswered if it cannot raise the €1.2m it needs.

However, minister Reilly says he is investigating what can be done to maintain as much of the service as possible.

Mr Reilly told the Dáil: "I have asked officials in my department to meet with the ISPCC, along with Tusla (The child and family agency), to examine how best such a service can be provided to the greatest benefit of children in Ireland."