Ireland is going increasingly digital, but the support available when something goes wrong hasn’t kept pace. Phishing, scams and account compromise are rising fast, over €300 million was lost to call and text scams in 2025 alone, yet our research found 96% of people don’t know where to turn for trusted help after a cyber incident. In this position paper, the Cyber Safety Project makes the case for a national cyber security helpline: a single, human point of contact offering compassionate support, trusted guidance and clear referrals for anyone affected by cybercrime, from older adults to young people navigating image-based abuse. Read the full paper here.
This position paper draws upon research and public engagement undertaken by the Cyber Safety for Vulnerable Populations team over the past three years. The findings are informed by real engagements with members of the public seeking cyber safety advice and support, together with qualitative research approved by the Munster Technological University Research Ethics Committee (Ethical Approval No: MTU-HRECFER-25-008-A). The Cyber Safety Project is funded by the EU Commission Recovery and Resilience Facility under Research Ireland Our Tech Grant Number 22/NCF/OT/ 11212G.