Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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1209. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department as per its 2021 action plan goal 1, objective 18, work with public sector and civil society stakeholders to review and strengthen processes and the legislative framework to combat human trafficking by the end of quarter 1 agree to the request of an organisation (details supplied) for such an engagement in which it can convey its relevant experiences with the existing processes and legislative framework from the perspective of undocumented migrant fishers it has encountered who have fulfilled the minimum criteria of the internationally recognised Delphi Indicators for human trafficking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14262/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government is fully committed to combatting human trafficking and to working to identify and support victims of this terrible crime.

I am informed that all accusations of human trafficking in the fishery industry here are fully investigated by An Garda Síochána and files submitted to the DPP.  As the Deputy will be aware, independent decisions on prosecution are made by the DPP on the basis of evidence.  I am informed by An Garda Síochána that no evidence to support any of the accusations made by the organisation concerned has been found. 

As the Deputy is aware, the DPP is independent of Government and indeed of An Garda Síochána and its decisions are made on the basis of evidence.  A prosecution cannot be taken where there is a visible lack of evidence to support the contention that trafficking occurred.

I am also informed that the Workplace Relations Commission, which provides the machinery via which victims of labour exploitation can seek redress, regardless of whether the exploitation is in the context of human trafficking or not, has also confirmed that it has found no evidence to support any of the accusations made.  The WRC are very active in monitoring and inspecting conditions in the fishing industry and have found no evidence to support any accusations made by the organisation concerned.

My Department officials have had extensive correspondence with the organisation concerned and have made offers of a meeting – these offers have not been responded to.  The offer remains open.  I would like to stress the point that the distinction between labour exploitation and human trafficking (forced labour) is a very important one, and the integrity of this distinction in Irish and international law must be understood and appreciated by any non-statutory body that seeks to develop a collaborative relationship with the Department on our efforts to tackle human trafficking.

The Delphi Indicators were developed under the auspices of the International Labour Organisation of which Ireland is an active member.  The fact remains that the organisation concerned has made numerous accusations of human trafficking that have not stood up to examination.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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1210. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the additional practical supports for victims of human trafficking that will be in place by the end of quarter 1 of 2021 as promised in the 2021 action plan of her Department under section goal 1, action and objective 17.2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14263/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government is fully committed to addressing human trafficking in all forms, including through the provision of supports for victims of human trafficking, by educating the public to recognise the signs of trafficking and by continuing to work with our international partners in all relevant forums.  My Department has committed substantial funding to NGOs working to combat human trafficking.  The details are set out in the tables below.

Among the priority actions that will be taken to ensure victims of trafficking are identified, protected, and provided with all the supports needed is the creation of a new wider National Referral Mechanism to protect and promote the human rights of trafficking victims The supports available under the NRM include accommodation, medical care, care planning, legal advice and aid, immigration permission, police services, employment and vocational training, translation and interpretation services and voluntary return home. I will be bringing my proposals for a new NRM to Government in April.

My Department is also working with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Ireland on a Cultural Mediation project.  The project will build the capacity of State professionals who work with/for migrants, to identify and address the needs of (potential) victims of gender based violence and trafficking more effectively and to provide culturally sensitive support to them. It will also allow victims of gender based violence and trafficking better access information and effectively engage with support and referral services and will promote a culturally sensitive approach to victims, through the use of cultural mediators.

TABLES

Awareness Raising/Frontline Training