Licensing & Services
EU Harmonised Services of Social Value
A “Harmonised Service of Social Value” can be defined as a service accessed via a special 6-digit freephone number that meets a common description throughout the European Community, which is potentially of value to visitors from other countries and which answers a specific social need. In particular these types of services should contribute to the well-being or safety of citizens, or particular groups of citizens, or should help citizens in difficulty. More detailed information is available in ComReg 07/47 or from the European Commission’s amended decision.
The numbering range 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.
The European Commission is responsible for maintaining an 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 an indication of whether an Irish service provider currently offers it, is as follows:
| 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 |
No - Expected Q3. 2012 |
| 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 – Childline- June 2008 | Yes – Mar 2009 |
| 116117 |
Non-emergency medical on-call service |
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 |
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 | No – Expected Q1 2012 |
Once a number has been listed in the Annex, ComReg will make known, in the above table and through media advertisements, that the specific number is available for the provision of the associated Harmonised Service of Social Value. This will allow applications for the rights of use for this specific number to be submitted.
Service providers seeking 116 numbers should obtain a copy of the Numbering Application Procedures and Applications Forms document (currently ComReg 11/18).
Details of 116 numbers already allocated to service providers are available by using the numbering database search facility. For further information please contact numapps@comreg.ie or 01-8049766.
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