Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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106. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the engagement by her Department with the International Labour Organisation in relation to the Convention 182, the Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour; the position of Ireland in relation to same; if legislation or regulation is required here arising from the convention; her views on ongoing abuses in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32455/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Ireland ratified ILO Convention 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour on 20 December 1999. Prior to ratification of the convention it was established that national legislation is in line with the provisions of the convention.

Ireland is required to submit regular reports to the ILO on implementation of ratified conventions. Ireland’s most recent report to the ILO on Convention 182 was submitted in 2016 and covered the period up to 31 October 2015.

The observations of the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) on the 2016 report were published at the 106th Session of the International Labour Conference which took place last month. The Committee noted with satisfaction that the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) (Amendment) Act of 2013 expands the definition of "exploitation" to include forcing a person, (including a child under the age of 18 years) to engage in an activity that constitutes an offence. The Committee also noted the detailed information provided by the Government regarding the trafficking of persons and requested the Government, in its next report, to provide information on convictions and penalties applied in cases related to the trafficking of children. 

Ireland’s next report to the ILO on Convention 182 is due in 2018. While my Department has the co-ordination role with regard to the preparation of reports to the ILO, it is the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit in the Department of Justice and Equality which will be responsible for the collation and provision of the information requested on convictions and penalties.