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Updated at 5pm
A FUNDING AGREEMENT has been reached between the ISPCC and the Government to keep Childline in operation around the clock.
The charity warned last month that its night service would have to be curtailed, unless funding of €1.2 million could be raised.
In a joint statement this afternoon, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the ISPCC said an agreement had been reached “which will assist in ensuring that Childline
stays open 24 hours a day”.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, ISPCC CEO Caroline O’Sullivan said it was “fantastic news” .
“Really it’s the public who have helped save Childline,” O’Sullivan said.
We’ve already raised €400,000, and we have another €300,000 pledged, which should be in by January.
Funding from the Government will make up the temporary shortfall — while the charity is also hoping to build a longer-term relationship with the Department, beyond the current two-year agreement announced today.
As part of the deal, the charity will also provide information to the Department on the type of issues being faced by children who call the service.
“We have a huge amount of data, and we know about what’s happening in real-time,” O’Sullivan said.
It’s hoped the information can be used to improve services and policy.
“Of course, no children’s names or other identifying information will be passed on,” O’Sullivan explained.
Childline has been in existence for 26 years — but this is the first major funding agreement with the Government. It received €191,000 from the National Office for Suicide Prevention last year.
Minister for Children James Reillys said he was “very pleased” to be able to make today’s announcement.
“It is important that children and young people know there is a service for them to go with their concerns 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The role played by Childline is a vital one as part of a wider architecture around supporting children and young people. Childline has considerable experience in being the ‘listening ear’ to concerns of children and young people, from simple problems to issues of a more serious nature.
“I believe it is right that the State protects that service and respects its
independence.”
Donations to Childline can be made by texting 57911 (texts costs €4). Other details on how to give are available on ispcc.ie.
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I like when a good news story is reported. The world and the media are growing increasingly pessimistic year on year
Very true
Great news
It is indeed good news that such a necessary service will be available.
Once again though, it’s another area that govt are off the hook on because such organisations are so bloody good. It’s shameful that such a service would ever need to get to a point where anything can be described as a “deal” is struck.
Brilliant news, well done to all involved for getting this through. Lets hope that this crucial service is never at risk again.
I’d rather tax payers money went into childline that into some crony boss working in Irish water pocket.
About f£$king time.
Scandalous that this service has to go with a begging bowl to this heartless bunch of clowns
Xmas has come early for a lot of kids….Great news!!!
Alan , I would go that far now to say that , the children who need the service are usually very sad and very distressed or hurting !
But for children in distress it will be a lifeline and off some hope or support that wouldn’t be there otherwise if the government hadn’t stepped in and done what they should have years ago.
Great news but a damming verdict on this most out of touch, uncaring and unrepresentative government that even contemplated stopping funding to this.
More evidence…if any was needed….that this regime puts bankers, bondholders, corrupt tax dodging businessmen and themselves before the well being and security of children and how much of a joke the children referendum was.
Well said Dermot.
Complete and utter boll1x. Charities have always been around and have always needed public funding. Childcare have been around longer than the current government and have always required a mix of state and government funding.
The Government is very good at passing the buck and avoiding its responsibility. They will however take credit for the hard work these charities provide and make no mistake they have no problem in allowing their members ie Frank Flannery milk it for personal profit. We have seen this in the recent Rehab affair. Simply put this Government has shown a total lack of compassion in ransacking peoples pensions and promoting the interests of its golden circle. This Government is an absolute disgrace just like their predecessors.
It’s Childline dude. ISPCC traditionally only took around 5% of funding from Government so it could remain as the independent voice of children. This €1m puts a sticky plaster over its longer term funding issues which hopefully their new CEO who starts in February will bring and get their fundraising up to speed. As far as I know Eircom ‘donate’ the call costs so they are free and don’t cost the caller or Childline anything. Think the funding shortfall is the whole organisation, not just the Childline service.
The organisation that runs Childline took children away from their parents and put them into industrial schools. The men who did this were known as “the cruelty men”. Anyone who is not fully informed on this issue should watch the fact-based film “Evelyn”, in which the father of the girl whose first name is the title of the film is played by Pierce Brosnan.
Children who are being abused by their parents and want to talk about it should tell the Gardaí. Therefore, there is no need for Childline.
Ciaran , it is not as simple as just going to the gardai and reporting it , some kids are terrified of the consequences , they are usually worn down by their abusers and totally believe all the threats and warnings they receive to keep quiet .
@Joan
Awareness of child abuse is much greater than it used to be. Therefore, the signs of abuse are more likely to be picked up on and victims are less likely to think that what abusive parents do to them is what normal parents do. If the victims believe the threats made by their abusers then Childline won’t make a difference.
After all, Childline had no effect in the Roscommon incest case. The local gardaí knew that the mother was neglecting her children but they referred the neglect to social workers instead of arresting her. Furthermore, the social workers could have appealed the injunction that was granted to the mother but they didn’t bother to do so. They had the power to intervene at an early stage under Article 42.5 of the Constitution.
Ciaran , awareness is much better , I agree there but services like that are needed , its there for any child who is feeling sad and lonely , at least its there for the kids to pick up the phone and know someone will listen t them and offer some comfort , its nor just for kids who are abused .
@Joan
It’s better if there is a caring person available to talk to a lonely child face-to-face instead of on the phone.
Alan your so true them social workers and services are all a joke
Ciaran I agree with you , it is much better to talk face to face with someone but that isn’t always possible . there is a lot of reasons too why children can’t do that , so the likes of these services are needed for the kids out there .
At pay levels similar to CRC this is a complete waste of tax payers bob’s
@ Jerry.
That 190k should pay for about 3 of the top people at the ISPCC where do people think the few million they receive, go? mainly salaries. Very few people seem to ask the “awkward” questions of these “charities”
Sad to see this charity with a begging bowl to the state. It used to be independent. Unsure about this news.
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