The growing numbers of Roma in Ireland is the major factor in a 30 per cent increase in the sightings of children begging, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) has said.
The numbers of sightings increased from 756 in 2005/2006 to 1,083 in 2006/2007. It is the first rise in four years. The increase coincided with Romania's accession to the EU on January 1st.
The ISPCC said there may also be a perception, going back to a High Court case in February, that child begging is no longer illegal, though this is not the case.
The ISPCC has said that 95 per cent of children begging on the streets are either Roma or Travellers.
The society is now urging the public not to give money to children begging on the streets as it frequently accentuates the problems involved.
"We're trying to raise awareness of what the alternatives are," said Mary Nicholson, the director of Leanbh which was set up by the ISPCC 10 years to deal with children at risk on the streets.
"It can be quite distressing to walk by a child on the street and not give them money, but it only make the problems worse, because it doesn't address the underlying problem." The ISPCC is encouraging the public to report children begging on the streets to the Garda or to social services saying it represents a "clear-cut child protection issue".
Many of these children are deprived of their constitutional right to an education and are exploited and frequently abused.
Ms Nicholson said many children who beg come from communities where begging is regarded as acceptable.
Leanbh counselled 144 children last year and estimates that about 40 families regularly encourage their children to beg on the street.
"We don't hold the children responsible. It is frequently a generational thing. The more that people report these sightings to the authorities, the more that something can be done to address this issue with their parents," she said. Leanbh now has a Romanian interpreter to deal with the problem.
Ms Nicholson said cases of young women with babies begging should also be considered a child protection issue.
"The fact that there is an adult minding them does not change the fact that they should not be out there. It is no place for babies," she added.
