Samaritans set to introduce freephone number next year
Calls to the Samaritans are expected to be free of charge from next year onwards after the charity concluded an agreement with Ireland's six largest telecoms companies.
Samaritans has been in negotiations with the six largest telecoms providers (BT Ireland; eircom/Meteor; 02; Three; UPC and Vodafone), which are members of IBEC’s Telecommunications and Internet Federation (TIF).
They have now committed to a two-year funding programme, expected to cost in excess of €400,000, for the number. Under the new partnership agreement, calls to the 116 number for emotional support will be free to the customers of each of the six participating companies.
In July 2007, the European Commission decided to reserve a common telephone number – 116 123 – for emotional support helplines in all EU member states.
In Ireland, ComReg was charged with managing the assignment of the 116 numbers, and assigned the emotional support helpline to Samaritans.
Commenting today, Suzanne Costello, director of Samaritans Ireland, said the organisation is extremely grateful to each of the telecoms providers who listened to the case for funding the 116 number and who have now taken it on.
“At present, Samaritans operates a lo-call helpline number, which received more than 400,000 calls over the past 12 months,” said Ms. Costello.
“Eircom has always generously supported this lo-call helpline. The fact that the five other largest telecoms providers are now joining eircom to support Samaritans’ new helpline number is ground-breaking, and a great example of collaboration between the voluntary and commercial sectors.
“We’re extremely grateful for the generous support from eircom in the past, and we warmly welcome the agreement with the other five telecoms providers, which ensures that Samaritans will now be able to provide this new free-phone number.
“Other telecoms providers – outside of this group – are welcome to support the Samaritans new helpline now that the agreement is in place.
“Our experience has been that the actual and perceived cost of phone calls prevents many people in distress from calling Samaritans.
“This is particularly so for some of the most vulnerable groups.
“In addition, despite the strong public response to our existing numbers, they are still not as widely known as we would like them to be. As an EU-wide, easy-to-remember number, 116 123 has the potential to be as universally known as the numbers 999 or 112.”
Torlach Denihan, Director of TIF, said that the industry was very pleased to be able to assist Samaritans in its vital work.
“This is a great example of corporate social responsibility at work,” he said. “I want to thank all of the telecoms providers involved for their cooperation in making this agreement possible.
“We will now work with Samaritans to ensure that the technical and organisational arrangements are put in place to allow the free-phone number to become operational from next year onwards.
“We will also work with Samaritans to ensure the new 116 number is adequately promoted and becomes familiar to everyone in the country.”
“The current economic climate has made it more difficult for companies in Ireland to engage in effective corporate responsibility projects, as budgets are tightened and cutbacks are made.
“So, against that background we are particularly pleased that the six largest telecoms providers have decided to support this Samaritans’ initiative. It is indicative of the reputation that Samaritans has earned and the high regard in which we hold its work.”
Kathleen Lynch TD, Minister of State at the Department of Health also welcomed the agreement. “As Minister with responsibility for mental health, I am acutely aware of the vital work undertaken by Samaritans.
“The numbers taking their own lives in Ireland is at an all-time high and there is not a community in the country that has not been affected by the trauma and despair that surrounds suicide.
“Samaritans provides a vital service for those in distress, including those who may be contemplating taking their own lives.
“This agreement between Samaritans and the telecoms providers ensures that help will be available to all those who need it.”
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