Fitzpatrick welcomes news that Department of Children to meet with ISPCC to address funding issues

“The ISPCC has a long history of advocacy on behalf of children here in Louth and all across Ireland. We need to do all that we can to support the service” says Peter Fitzpatrick, Fine Gael TD for Louth.

“Due to a fall in public donations the Childline service has come under severe pressure and there is a danger that the overnight service will have to close. One of the most valuable features of the Childline service is the fact that it’s a 24 hour service so it is important that the Government engages and does everything possible to support Childline.

“Department of Children officials along with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency will meet with the ISPCC to examine how best such a service can be provided to the greatest benefit of Ireland’s children.

“The welfare of children is extremely important and it has been a priority for this Government. We have established the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, we have set up the Child and Family Agency and we had a referendum to ensure that children’s rights are strengthened.

“The Children First Bill is moving through the Dáil and it will require that any concerns about child welfare and protection be reported to Tusla, that every organisation who provides services to children develop a Child Safeguarding Statement and that the Children First Interdepartmental Group is put on a statutory footing.

“The Childline service will have a shortfall of €1.2m to the end of this year. The costs of the Childline service have always been met by ISPCC fundraising activities and Tusla this year provided €476,000 for core running costs and towards a number of projects on a regional basis. Separately, the Department of Children funds the ISPCC to provide the Missing Children’s Hotline .

“The Childline service is used by children who want to talk, rather than children with serious child welfare and protection issues and over 80% of calls do not relate to serious child welfare or protection concerns. This is a service for Children in need of a listening ear, children who are worried about something. I am pleased that Minister Reilly has acknowledged the importance of the service and that his officials are set to engage to ensure that everything possible is done.”