Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1089. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of INIS staff that have training in relation to human trafficking awareness or human trafficking indicators; to what level this training is provided; if this training is provided on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13440/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Human trafficking is an exploitive crime that preys on the vulnerable. There is no place for it in our society. We know vulnerable people are trafficked into Ireland for exploitation reasons, including sexual exploitation, forced labour and forced criminality. The Government is fully committed to identifying and supporting victims of this terrible crime.

All Immigration Officers in the Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department receive Human Trafficking Awareness training, which is delivered as part of their initial training programme. The BMU works closely with colleagues in An Garda Síochána on the issue of human trafficking, and also cooperates with UK colleagues in relation to ongoing training and knowledge-sharing in this area. In November 2022, 20 BMU Immigration Officers received further training in Safeguarding and Modern Slavery, delivered by UK partners.

In 2019, the UNHCR conducted training for the International Protection Office (IPO) with approximately 50 staff in attendance.

Furthermore, the International Protection Office (IPO) has procedures in place when dealing with potential victims of human trafficking and also has an internal guidance resources available to all IPO staff. The IPO has a ‘Designated Officer’ whose role it is to make a referral to An Garda Síochána.

A specialised Garda Unit, the Human Trafficking Investigation and Co-ordination Unit (HTICU), has been in place since 2009 to conduct investigations into human trafficking. It also provides advice, support and where necessary, operational assistance to investigations at district level.