A freephone service to help locate missing people has been set up by the Big Issues Social Initiative.
The service, called The Irish Missing Persons Helpline (IMPH), aims to "help missing people regain contact with families and friends", but also to "respect the individual's right to leave home".
The IMPH will attempt to locate a missing person through contacts established throughout the country and abroad. The service will also provide "advice and support to families suffering distress and hardship as a result of a family member going missing".
The number of the new service is 1800-616617. It comes into operation next Tuesday.