The number of children begging on Dublin streets has dropped, according to a report from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC).
In its fifth annual report entitled Leanbh - Working With Children Who Beg, the ISPCC found that the number of sightings of children begging on the streets of Dublin has dropped by 444 on the same period last year.
In the year 2001/2002 there 1322 sightings of children begging compared with 1766 last year.
It was also found that the number of children no longer begging as a result of Leanbhintervention is 62 for 2001/2002 compared with just 18 last year.
The number of children and families who have received therapeutic help are also up on the figures for 2000/2001.
While the report shows that the number of children begging is down on last year it also shows that the proportion of these children from the travelling community is now at almost 75 per cent of the total number begging.
However, Ms Tracy Bolger, manager Leanbh services, said that it was important that people don't view children on the street by their cultural backgrounds, but, as just children.
She also advised people not to give money to children they see on the street as this is only a "short-term fix" and alleviates the guilt of the person giving money.
According to Ms Bolger, the best way of helping children on the street is to buy them food or a warm drink. Other alternatives are to donate money to an organisation that would have an impact or to volunteer to help one of the agencies that works with begging children.
There is also a 24-hour telephone number that people can call if they are worried or concerned about a child they have seen begging. The number is 01 4734262.