Numbers beginning with ‘116’ has been reserved in national numbering plans for “Harmonised Services of Social Value”. Such services will be available in several EU countries but not necessarily all. More detailed information is available in ComReg 07/47 or from the European Commission’s amended decision to reserve these 6-digit numbers throughout the Community.
The European Commission is responsible for maintaining the Decision’s Annex of numbers in the 116 range which have been reserved for particular Harmonised Services of Social Value.
The current list of 116 numbers reserved by the EU Commission, including for each an indication of whether an Irish service provider currently offers it, is as follows:
| 116 Numbers | ||||||
| Number | Service for which this number is reserved | Specific conditions attached to the right of use for this number | Reserved by ComReg? | Application received? | Assigned? | In Service? |
| 116000 |
Hotlines for missing children This service (a) takes calls reporting missing children and passes them on to the Police; (b) offers guidance to and supports the persons responsible for the missing child; (c) supports the investigation. |
Service continuously available (i.e. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, nation-wide). |
Yes – Feb 2007 |
Yes – Jan 2012 |
Yes – ISPCC |
Yes- June 2013 |
| 116006 |
Helpline for victims of crime The service enables victims of crime to get emotional support in such circumstances, to be informed about their rights and about ways to claim their rights, and to be referred to the relevant organisations. In particular, it provides information about (a) local police and criminal justice proceedings; (b) possibilities of compensation and insurance matters. It also provides support in finding other sources of help relevant to the victims of crime. |
Where the service is not continuously available (i.e. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, nation-wide), the service provider must ensure that information about availability is made publicly available in an easily accessible form, and that, during periods of unavailability, callers to the service are advised when the service will next become available. | Yes – Nov 2009 | Yes – May 2010 | Yes – Crime Victims Helpline – June 2010 | Yes – Oct 2010 |
|
116111 |
Child helplines The service helps children in need of care and protection and links them to services and resources; it provides children with an opportunity to express their concerns, talk about issues directly affecting them and contact someone in an emergency situation. |
Where the service is not continuously available (i.e. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, nation-wide), the service provider must ensure that information about availability is made publicly available in an easily accessible form, and that, during periods of unavailability, callers to the service are advised when the service will next become available. | Yes – Oct 2007 | Yes – Feb 2008 | Yes – ISPCC – June 2008 | Yes – Mar 2009 |
| 116117 |
Non-emergency medical on-call service The service directs callers to the medical assistance appropriate to their needs, which are urgent but non-life-threatening, especially, but not exclusively, outside normal office hours, over the weekend and on public holidays. It connects the caller to a skilled and supported call-handler, or connects the caller directly to a qualified medical practitioner or clinician. |
Where the service is not continuously available (i.e. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, nation-wide), the service provider must ensure that information about availability is made publicly available in an easily accessible form, and that, during periods of unavailability, callers to the service are advised when the service will next become available. | Yes – November 2009 | No | No | No |
| 116123 | Emotional support helplines The service enables the caller to benefit from a genuine human relationship based on non judgmental listening. It offers emotional support to callers suffering from loneliness, in a state of psychological crisis, or contemplating suicide. |
Where the service is not continuously available (i.e. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, nation-wide), the service provider must ensure that information about availability is made publicly available in an easily accessible form, and that, during periods of unavailability, callers to the service are advised when the service will next become available. | Yes – Oct 2007 | Yes – Nov 2007 | Yes – Samaritans – Jan 2008 | Yes- March 2014 |