EU child helpline - Children still not priority in this state

The Government is obligated to promote a new freephone hotline for missing children that is supposed to be operational throughout the European Union from May 25, 2011.

A special harmonised number – 116000 – is to be used as a hotline to report missing children from anywhere within the EU.

The Commissioner for Communications Regulation has announced that he had received no application to operate the hotline number in this country, even though it has been available since 2007. Other legislation to provide protection for children has been delayed because of the need for a constitutional referendum.

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Barnardos have both been warning of the urgent need for reform of the Constitution. Children’s Minister Barry Andrews says that more work is needed in relation to some key issues. Children in trouble are being left to drown in a sea of administrative indifference and political excuses.

There is, however, no necessity for any legislation in the case of the hotline for missing children. The procrastination exposes an appalling lack of commitment on the part of the Government.

Nobody should be surprised in the least, in view of what has been happening with the Childline service. Some 79% of children’s calls and 80% of child protection referrals to the Health Service Executive are made out of hours, but there are still no definite plans to set up the service on a 24-hour basis nationwide.

This is further evidence of a lack of leadership at the top. There is essentially no political accountability for vulnerable children in Ireland.

Responsibility for introducing the 116 freephone service is being kicked around like a political football between the Departments of Health, Justice and Communication. The Government is likely to be in the absurd position next year of being obliged to promote a service that will not be available in this country.

The motive behind the EU helpline should be warmly welcomed, because such social harmonisation is in best interests of everybody in the community.

So far, five telephone numbers have been assigned – for missing children, a crime helpline, a medical on-call service, and a service for emotional support. For instance, 116006 is the designated helpline number for victims of crime throughout the EU. It was supposed to be in operation here before the end of the year, but has been postponed until 2012 because of funding problems.

Of course, we have been living beyond our means and there will have to be spending cuts, but there must be rational priorities. Each day we get more examples appalling of extravagance and atrocious waste, while nothing is being done about the abuse of children. Such failings must be highlighted and tackled.

Nobody should make the mistake of thinking that politicians care about anyone other than themselves, if they do not care about the most vulnerable people in society.