Jim Higgins MEP is delighted that the 116 000 line is finally in place in Ireland thanks to EU funding. The missing child hotline provides advice and support, taking calls from the general public, the family of the missing child, or the child him/herself. The service also supports the gardaí in their investigations.
“Above all we need to encourage people to use the service, especially in the first hours after a disappearance. We really need to dispel the myth that you must wait 24 hours before reporting someone missing to the Gardaí. If your child goes missing notify the Gardaí immediately,” he said.
The hotline is now operational 24/7 on a near EU wide basis. There are 23 hotlines in operation and a further three will be launched shortly.
