The Government was warned tonight it is on its last chance to adopt a Europe-wide hotline for missing children.
Ireland is one of 14 European Union (EU) states yet to activate the 116 000 hotline to protect vulnerable youngsters and advise anxious parents.
The country has been told it has until next May to put the special number into action.
Rhona McGinn, a regional manager for the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC), said the hotline would be vital in the fight to safeguard children across the continent.
"In order to better protect and support children, Ireland needs to make certain we have an operational 116 000 service," she said.
"The ISPCC believes this is a vital service for missing children and their families, whether they have been abducted, run away, lost or taken by a parent."
All EU states have been ordered to set up the 116 000 hotline for missing children by the middle of
next year. It can also offer parents advice and counselling support.
Ireland, along with Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia and Sweden, has yet to activate the number. It is partially operational in the UK.
The aim of the hotline is to create uniform responses to helping children and parents in trouble and give them the necessary help when away from home, such as family holidays. Twelve countries have already adopted the system.
Europe justice commissioner Viviane Reding said having a common number would be a potential lifeline for missing youngsters.
She said: "The disappearance of a child is always a tragedy and, in some cases, their life may even be at risk.
"The 116 000 number offers help, support and a potential lifeline for missing children and their parents," she said.
The Commissioner said EU citizens should also know their requests were treated in a similar way across the continent.
Neelie Kroes, EU Commissioner for the Digital Agenda, added: "A missing child is a traumatic experience - we have a duty to provide the simplest and most effective means to help parents and children in such a situation."
In 2007, EU states were told to keep the 116 000 number clear for the introduction of the hotline. They have also been told the line must be operational by May 25th 2011.
PA