Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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67. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the action being taken to combat human trafficking in the north west of Ireland which, in view of its proximity to the Border, has the highest rate of human trafficking per capita here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36454/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I have requested the information sought from the Garda authorities and I will forward it to the Deputy in due course as soon as the information is to hand.

Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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68. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the financial support avenues that are open to organisations (details supplied) in carrying out their mission to educate society as to the degrees of human trafficking and, in particular, to raise awareness of the warning signs that may help identify instances of human trafficking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36455/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Government recognises that human trafficking is a violation of human rights and is committed to doing everything in its power to prevent this despicable crime, punish the perpetrators and protect the victims. I also recognise the crucial role played by civil society in responding to this issue. Partnership between the State and civil society will continue to be central to our approach to tackling this heinous crime and supporting its victims.

The Second National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking in Ireland was published last month and contained in the Plan are commitments that my Department will continue to actively engage with Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) for the purpose of awareness-raising and project development.

While my Department funds a number of NGOs that provide front line services to victims, it does not supply mainstream funding for awareness-raising and training.

However, in addition to the mainstream funding directed towards services to victims, funding for NGOs is also provided through the Dormant Accounts Funding Scheme (DAF). The DAF Scheme provides that dormant funds and unclaimed life assurance policies may be disbursed for the purposes of assisting the personal, social and educational development of economically, socially or educationally disadvantaged persons as well as persons with a disability. This initiative provides additional support to non-governmental actors in this field who are recognised as being well placed to develop new and innovative on the ground interventions which otherwise would not be undertaken and which will greatly assist this disadvantaged group.

In 2015, the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of my Department oversaw the disbursement of €99,225 to NGOs under this Scheme on projects that aimed to address the social, economic and educational disadvantages of victims of trafficking and persons/groups at risk of human trafficking. Disbursement of funds under the 2016 Dormant Accounts Action plan is currently underway.

The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit will be applying to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, for funding under the 2017 Dormant Accounts Action Plan and, subject to such an application being successful, will invite NGOs working in the sector to make an application for funding for projects that are innovative and additional to current measures addressing the needs of victims of human trafficking or persons vulnerable to human trafficking. Details for such application processes will be circulated through various channels, including through my Department's Roundtable Forum on Human Trafficking which is attended by NGOs including the organisation referred to by the Deputy.

My Department is also committed to examining the possibility of developing projects with international partners aimed at awareness-raising and training on aspects of trafficking in human beings. This examination could result in applications to the EU for funding for projects in collaboration with EU partners and civil society and other relevant international organisations.

Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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69. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional financial supports and resources to deal with the issue of human trafficking that have been or will be provided to An Garda Síochána, particularly in the north west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36456/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I have requested the information sought from the Garda authorities and I will forward it to the Deputy in due course as soon as the information is to hand.