Celebrating 10 year of partnership

Since its launch in 2014 Telecommunications Industry Ireland members BT Ireland, eir, Sky Ireland, Three Ireland, Virgin Media Ireland and Vodafone Ireland have covered the cost of calls to Samaritans’ freephone helpline 116 123, ensuring that it can remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Industry support to Samaritans helpline 2014-2024:

  • Valued at over €6 million
  • Covered cost of 5 million calls by the public
  • Enabled Samaritans to spend 700,000 hours responding on the phone
  • Further details here in The History of Freefone 116123

In spring 2024 the companies concerned extended the partnership for another 5 years, agreeing to support the helpline until 2029 as explained in Samaritans’ press release www.samaritans.org/ireland/news/10-years/

The Story of Freephone 116 123

Celebrating 10 years of the partnership on 16 May 2024 (left to right) Ollie Loomes, eir, Elizabeth Headon, Vodafone, J.D. Buckley, Sky and Chair, Telecommunications Industry Ireland, Sarah O’Toole, Samaritans Ireland, Ossian Smyth T.D., Minister for Communications, Blathin Harnett, Virgin Media, Shay Walsh, BT, Elaine Carey, Three, Torlach Denihan, Telecommunications Industry Ireland