By Paul O’Brien
THE number of sightings of children begging has fallen significantly, a report to be published today says.Some 973 sightings were reporting to gardaí, health boards and child welfare groups in the 12-month period to October.

In contrast, 1,556 sightings were reported in the same period in 2002/2003 - a difference of 37%.

The findings are contained in the annual report of Leanbh, the 24-hour service established by the ISPCC in 1997 to help children at risk on the streets. The report will be launched in Dublin today.

Speaking last night, ISPCC chief executive Paul Gilligan said while it was hard to determine the true scale of the problem, instances of child begging were definitely decreasing.

“There has been over the years a significant drop in child begging,” he said.

“There’s three factors involved in that: there’s the activity of the gardaí, the fact that Leanbh, in conjunction with the gardaí, have worked supporting families and kids; and then the families themselves.

“Many of the families with whom Leanbh are working are striving to make real and positive change for their children.”

However, Mr Gilligan stressed that these families’ efforts would “amount to nothing” unless they received appropriate support.

“Helping these children and their families will require a real commitment from all in Irish society to ensure these children are protected and nurtured,” he added.

A separate survey carried out by the ISPCC, the results of which will be released in tandem with the Leanbh report today, has shown many people who witness children begging do not know how best the can help them.

The telephone survey of 676 people was carried out earlier this year. Eight in ten respondents, or 82.2%, had witnessed child begging.

But four in ten, or 42.3%, said they did nothing the last time they witnessed a child on the streets.

And two in ten, or 20%, of those surveyed thought that giving money to the child was the best thing to do in such instances.

The ISPCC will distribute a leaflet over the next few weeks advising people on the best steps to take if they encounter a child begging.

It encourages people to treat the child “with kindness, courtesy and respect”, and, if possible, buy them some food or a soft drink, but not to give them any money.

They should also report the sighting to the gardaí, a health board, or Leanbh.

For more information, contact Leanbh on 01-644-7712.