The missing persons helpline run by Victim Support started operating in October 2002 but received only 100 phone calls before it was shut down in early 2005.

The Department of Justice provided �?�110,000 in financial assistance for the helpline but never received audited accounts for these funds.

Just over 4,300 people were reported missing last year.

Independent senator David Norris now wants the justice minister to re-examine funding for a new missing persons helpline.

"The range of services for missing persons should be extended to include counselling and a support network. The helpline should be operated as a free-call service, " Norris said.

A funding application for a �?�71,600 grant from the Missing in Ireland Support Service to establish a new helpline was turned down last year. A grant of �?�25,000 was offered but this amount was not considered sufficient to operate and staff a helpline.

The justice minister said earlier this month that he would consider another application but he did not favour a state-run helpline.

"A helpline of this kind is best established on an independent basis and therefore by a non-official, voluntary organisation.

"I do not believe that having a group of gardaí waiting to receive telephone calls is a good idea, " McDowell said.

The gardaí are not in favour of a national missing persons unit, arguing that a specialist unit would not have access to the crucial local knowledge about the circumstances and background of people who are reported missing.

Currently, An Garda Síochána runs a missing persons bureau which maintains all information on individuals reported missing in suspicious circumstances.

These details are recorded on the force's Pulse computer system.

The investigation of missing people is also a core subject on the curriculum at the garda college in Templemore.