Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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1946. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of instances of human trafficking reported to Gardaí, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2025. [41145/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The prevention, detection and prosecution of the crime of human trafficking is a priority for me and for this Government.

Significant measures have been taken to combat human trafficking, to create a more victim-centred approach to identifying and supporting victims; to raise public awareness and provide training to relevant people including professionals to detect, understand and combat human trafficking.

In order to encourage victims to come forward and access supports, in November 2023, the Third National Action Plan to prevent and combat human trafficking (2023-2027) was launched.

It includes key actions in respect of the training of frontline workers, ensuring effective anti-trafficking screening measures are in place at point of entry to the State and establishing dedicated accommodation for victims of trafficking who have been trafficked for sexual exploitation.

The establishment of a revised National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is another key action under the National Action Plan.

Under the revised NRM, responsibility for the formal identification of victims of trafficking will be expanded beyond An Garda Síochána to include a range of designated Departments and State agencies, each of which will be authorised as a competent authority.

NGOs can also apply to be designated as “trusted partners” and will be able to make referrals into the NRM. This will improve early engagement and make it easier for victims to be identified, come forward and access support.

The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024 put the revised NRM on a statutory footing. Preparatory work is underway to finalise operational aspects of the new mechanism before it can be launched, and the relevant provisions of the legislation commenced.

The Government’s efforts are in line with Ireland’s requirements under EU Directive 2024/1712 on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims.

With regard to the Deputy's query in relation to the number of instances of human trafficking reported to Gardaí, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2025, An Garda Síochána have supplied the table.

Table 1: Human Trafficking Instances per Year

Additional information

·Data is valid as of 18/07/2025.

·Date ranges include 01/01/2015 until 18/07/2025.

· Crime counting rules have been applied.