Written answers

Thursday, 3 July 2025

Department of Justice and Equality

Human Trafficking

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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49. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the actions his Department has taken on foot of the US Department of State 2024 Trafficking in Persons report to seek to improve Ireland’s ranking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36458/25]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Human trafficking is an exploitative and particularly heinous crime. It preys on some of the most vulnerable, and is committed with no regard for life, dignity or for the most basic of human rights.

Across Government, we acknowledge the seriousness of this crime and are determined to reach and help those who have been affected by it and to take them out of these horrific situations.

The Trafficking in Persons Report is the US Government’s principal diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking and it rates States in a three-tier system based on their perceived efforts to acknowledge and combat human trafficking.

Ireland was downgraded to Tier 2 watch list in 2020, and in 2022 was upgraded to Tier 2 with the US State Department noting the government is “making significant efforts” in this area. It remains at Tier 2 in the 2024 Report.

I strongly believe that Ireland should be moved up to Tier 1 on the basis of increased prosecution and conviction rates for traffickers which the US State Department had indicated would reflect positively on Ireland’s rating.

The prosecution of five individuals in 2024 represents a 150% increase on 2023, when two prosecutions were initiated. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) also reported the first conviction for conspiracy to commit human trafficking in this jurisdiction last year.

Ireland also saw an increase in the identification of victims of human trafficking last year. An Garda Síochána formally identified 67 people as victims of human trafficking which marked a 26% increase in the number of victims identified in 2024 in comparison to 2023.

In addition, the enactment of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024 was pivotal. This legislation introduces a statutory framework for a revised National Referral Mechanism (NRM), streamlining the identification and support processes for trafficking victims and strengthening the overall legal response to human trafficking.

A number of significant measures to combat trafficking, to create a more victim-centred approach to identifying and supporting victims and to raise awareness and provide training, have been introduced.

I would like to highlight that, in addition to work underway to revise the National Referral Mechanism which will make it easier for victims of trafficking to come forward, be identified, and access support, there are other ongoing initiatives. These include:

  • The implementation of a new National Action Plan on Human Trafficking, published in 2023, which reflects our renewed determination to prevent this crime and to ensure victims are identified and supported - both nationally and with international partners
  • The delivery of training, through NGOs, targeting front line staff in industries such as hospitality, airline, shipping and security who may come into contact with trafficked persons;
  • The improvements being made to the criminal justice system to support victims through the implementation of Supporting a Victim's Journey;
  • Increased funding for supporting victims of crime generally and increased funding dedicated specifically to supporting victims of trafficking, and
  • The opening of accommodation for female victims of human trafficking.

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