Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which steps are in place or are being put in place to prevent child prostitution; the number of any such incidents reported in the past five years by gender, age and nationality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15763/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993, it is an offence to organise prostitution, coerce or compel a person to be a prostitute, knowingly live off the earnings of a prostitute, or keep or manage a brothel. The 1993 Act, as amended, provides that a person who solicits or importunes a child, whether or not for the purposes of prostitution, to commit an act which would constitute carnal knowledge or sexual assault is guilty of an offence. Moreover, a person who engages in a sexual act with the child could be charged with serious sexual offences.

Legislative proposals to further protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation, including exploitation through prostitution, are at an advanced stage of preparation in my Department. I expect to bring these legislative proposals to Government in the coming months.

I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the number of incidents referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.