Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
5. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps her Department is taking to tackle the rate of exploitation by criminal gangs of children in the State care system; if she will meet with an advocacy group (details supplied) which is working to reduce child trafficking in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71834/25]
View answerChildren in the care of the State are some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society. The Department and Tusla are committed to promoting safe and high-quality practice in all areas of alternative care, including in relation to protecting this vulnerable cohort from the risk of sexual exploitation and child trafficking.
The Child Sexual Exploitation Procedure was developed in 2021 to assist Tusla social workers, care workers in recognising indicators of child sexual exploitation, making appropriate referrals where such concerns exist and responding to cases where children may be at risk of sexual exploitation.
The procedure sets out the pathways for reporting concerns of child sexual exploitation to An Garda Síochána, for children who are in the care of Tusla, under Operation Cosnaím, and for children who reside in a community setting, through the local Garda District.
As part of “Operation Cosnaím” all concerns of suspected child trafficking and/or child sexual exploitation regarding a child who is in the care of Tusla, must be notified to a centralised point in the Garda National Protective Services Bureau.
Since early 2022, Tusla has partnered with MECPATHS, a non - profit organisation which focuses specifically on the issue of child trafficking in Ireland. This collaboration is intended to raise awareness and provide frontline staff across Tusla services with training on Child Trafficking in Ireland, thus increasing the agency’s capacity to respond to this evolving area of need.
As of our last update, over 900 Tusla staff, including those working in State Care including Residential Care, Fostering and Adoption, intake and duty, and the Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children’s Team (SCSIP Service) have participated in MECPATHS workshops.
I am aware of a recent meeting request from MECPATHS to discuss their important and vital work, and I am currently seeking an opportunity to meet this request.
The Department and Tusla have previously met with An Garda Síochána on child human trafficking and labour exploitation and the implementation of the National Referral Mechanism under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024. This Act places the identification and protection of victims of human trafficking on statutory footing and expands the number of bodies that can identify a victim beyond An Garda Síochána.
The National Referral Mechanism is a framework through which States fulfil their obligations to protect and promote the human rights of trafficking victims, working in partnership with civil society. Ireland’s new National Referral Mechanism will make it easier for victims of trafficking to come forward, be identified and access advice, accommodation, and support. The National Referral Mechanism, which is yet to commence, will name Tusla as a ‘Competent Authority.’
The establishment of the National Referral Mechanism and the timeframe for its implementation, rests with the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
In relation to child trafficking and exploitation, coordination and co-operation, across Government and in the best interests of children, is essential.
I have recently published the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Bill will revise and update the Child Care Act 1991 and is aimed at reflecting changes in child welfare and protection services in Ireland, and capturing current legislative, policy and practice developments.
The Bill will provide for greater cooperation and coordination across agencies and departments, promoting a more agile response across the State in keeping children safe from harm. Some of the key features of the bill include:
• The introduction of a duty to cooperate between relevant bodies, such as Tusla, government departments and others. This will require organisations to cooperate proactively in performing their existing functions relevant to the development, welfare and protection of a child.
• A clear basis for the sharing of information between agencies and organisations when they are working together on child protection and child welfare matters under the new duty to cooperate.
Tusla continues to take the issue of potential Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Trafficking very seriously, and are committed to promoting safe and high quality practice in all areas of Alternative Care, including working with An Garda Síochána as required.
