Written answers

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Department of Justice and Equality

Human Trafficking

Photo of Barry WardBarry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1063. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons trafficked into Ireland in each year for which figures are available since 2015; her views on whether these figures are an accurate reflection of the amount of human trafficking in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2108/25]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The prevention, detection and prosecution of the abhorrent crime of human trafficking is a priority for me as Minister for Justice and for the Government.

A number of significant measures have been taken to combat human trafficking, to create a more victim-centred approach to identifying and supporting victims, and to raise awareness and provide training for those who need it.

In order to encourage victims to come forward and access supports, in November 2023, the Third National Action Plan was launched. The Plan which aims to prevent and combat human trafficking, runs until 2027.

Key actions include:

  • Establishment of a new National Referral Mechanism, which will make it easier for victims to come forward, be identified and access support. It will ensure that victims can come forward to a range of agencies and not just An Garda Síochána, as is currently the case. This is in recognition of the fact that victims may, due to experiences in their own countries, not trust police services.
  • New and widespread training for all who may come into contact with victims of human trafficking across Departments and State agencies. This will include the Border Management Unit of my Department, as well as health and social care professionals, professionals in contact with children, and working on child-related matters, and Civil Registration Services staff working in the HSE.
  • Ongoing development of training, through NGOs, targeting front line staff in industries such as hospitality, airline and shipping who may come into contact with trafficked persons
  • Ensuring effective anti-trafficking screening measures are in place at point of entry to the State
  • Establishing dedicated accommodation for victims of trafficking, ensuring that victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation are provided with gender-specific accommodation
This Strategy is underpinned by legislation which was recently signed into law by President Higgins. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024 will put the revised National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for the identification and support of victims of human trafficking on a statutory footing.

Preparatory work is required on operational aspects before provisions relating to the NRM can be commenced.

It is envisaged that this Strategy will identify more victims of human trafficking and bring them to safety. One of the main aims of the new Strategy is to encourage victims to come forward and access supports.

The number of victims of human trafficking recorded in the Department's Trafficking in Human Beings reports for each year from 2015 to 2023 is as follows:

2015 62
2016 75
2017 75
2018 64
2019 42
2020 38
2021 44
2022 42
2023 53

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