Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I think, if she does not mind me saying, that she has performed a good public service in having the issue brought to the floor of this House during Leaders' Questions. It gives the issue the attention and profile that it, without question, deserves and justifies. In 2021, Tusla implemented a child exploitation procedure in partnership with An Garda Síochána. There is a strong partnership between Tusla and An Garda Síochána. A joint working protocol between Tusla and An Garda Síochána forms a critical part of the response to child abuse, neglect and sexual exploitation.

A principal social worker from Tusla has been seconded to the Garda National Protective Services Bureau for a number of years. Tusla has established an anti-trafficking working group in readiness of the Department of Justice's national action plan for human trafficking, which includes the area of child sexual exploitation. I will follow up with the Minister on the issue of the reclassification of these issues and will revert back to the Deputy.

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