Parents need to be vigilant about child safety as figures show a "worrying trend" in the number of children going missing in Ireland, the ISPCC has warned.
The children's advocacy group has called for new measures to address the problem as it marks International Missing Children's Day today.
A Garda monitored missing children's website (www.missingkids.ie), features 82 missing children, while Health Service Executive statistics show that 328 separated children had gone missing in Ireland between 2001 to 2005.
"These figures represent a worrying trend in the number of children going missing in Ireland.
"The sad and tragic abduction of Madeleine McCann in Portugal has focused international attention on the issue of missing children and the abduction of children," the agency said.
Although abductions such as Madeleine McCann's were rare in Ireland, there were many types of missing children, including abductions, runaways, or lost or injured children, he ISPCC said.
Measures recommended by the agency include:
- A multi-agency outreach programme on entry to Ireland, offering support and protective information to all separated children, with a follow-up and support service for all asylum-seeking children.
- Remit of the Ombudsman's Office extended to include separated and asylum seeking children.
- "Child-sensitive" immigration policies so that children are not at risk of falling into trafficker's hands.
- An accurate and up-to-date databases of all children who have gone missing in Ireland.
Last night Madeleine's image was projected on Marble Arch in London as part of the appeal for information on her whereabouts. Today she will be the focus of events across Europe.