It is distressing to see children begging in the streets - some are literally babes in arms. Last year the ISPCC recorded nearly 1,000 incidents of children under the age of 12 begging. What kind of parent pushes his or her child into this?

Child beggars are as visible as ever, but the situation is improving thanks to the ISPCC's Leanbh service, according to research conducted by the Children's Research Centre at Trinity College, Dublin.

There were 1,766 incidents of children, aged under 12 and over 12, begging during 2000-2001, compared to 2,938 incidents in the previous year. This positive improvement stems from the work that Leanbh did during the year with 18 children who stopped begging and did not return to it.

In general, children who beg come from some of the most deprived, isolated and vulnerable families and need a wide range of supports. Blaming parents isn't going to change things - becoming involved with them will.

With this in mind Leanbh plans to establish a day centre to give children an immediate, positive alternative to begging. It also plans to employ workers from the Traveller and Romanian communities to assist in their work with families and to run a public awareness campaign.

Paul Gilligan, Chief Executive of the ISPCC says that "to work effectively, Leanbh requires the active involvement of the children and families for whom the service is provided. Despite the many adversities facing these families they have sought to work in partnership with the Leanbh service to better meet the needs of their children. The ISPCC has great admiration for these families and their continued efforts."