What can you do if you see a child begging?

Giving money to a child who begs does not help to address the long-term reasons why a child is on the streets begging.

There are better ways to help these families, which ensures that the reasons behind begging are addressed:

• Treat the child with kindness, courtesy and respect
• If you can, offer them some food or a hot drink
• Recognise that the child who begs is a child in need, with the same rights as any other child

 

Other ways to help:

• Talk to a Garda on the street, phone the local Garda station, Health Service Executive or contact the ISPCC Leanbh service on 087 062 5198    
• Raise the issue of child begging with your local representative or TD
• Raise the issue with your local representative or community activist group. This problem will only be tackled through involvement of families, communities and the government.
   

View our current campaign 'Giving money is not the answer'

 
Contact Leanbh

Email:  ISPCC
Tel:      01 234 2009 / 087 062 5198