Madam - James Evans (March 14th) expresses both concern and frustration regarding door-to-door begging by Roma children. May I thank him and your newspaper for highlighting this important issue which places children at serious risk and is a clear-cut child protection and welfare concern.
Readers may be interested to learn about the ISPCC Leanbh project, a Dublin-based service staffed by a multi-ethnic team of professionals and volunteers, working on a seven-day, 24-hour basis with children who beg.
These children, like all children, have a right to education, to be loved, valued and protected. Leanbh aims to eliminate all forms of child begging, whether a child is on their own or with a parent/carer. Leanbh works with parents and children by providing therapeutic and preventive supports, language development programmes and other integration initiatives.
The ISPCC appreciates the dilemma people face when they encounter a child begging. If you see children begging, please do not give them money as this does not address the root causes or the long-term effects on the child. Treat the child with kindness and respect and offer them food or a hot drink. If you are worried about a child begging, contact the ISPCC Leanbh service on 01 6447712, a local Garda station, or the Health Service Executive. - Yours, etc,
MARY NICHOLSON Manager, Leanbh, ISPCC, Dublin 2.