Dozens of children under four years of age are begging for money with their parents on the streets of Dublin, a charity claimed today.
The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) said young people of all ages were seen looking for handouts but adults begging with young children made up the majority of reports.
"They present a different issue they are being brought out onto the streets by parents, there is no consent," Paul Gilligan, chief executive of the ISPCC, said.
"It is no place for four-year-olds. There are all sorts of dangers like weather conditions, they should be in situations where they are enjoying life, they are able to explore and play rather than sitting on the street."
The charity's outreach group, Leanbh, said there was a 19 per cent decrease in the number of children spotted begging from 973 during 2003/2004 to 785 in 2004/2005.
Leanbh said there are about 30 children and young people who consistently beg on the streets of Dublin. The annual report from Leanbh found there were 197 children under-four spotted begging, and 66 aged between five and seven during 2004/2005.
"The reduction in sightings of children begging is positive, it has been a continuing trend since Leanbh set up," he said. Mr Gilligan said begging was seasonal with more children seeking money in the weeks before Christmas and in the summer.