Human Trafficking

Thursday, 20 June 2024

Ceisteanna (188)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the degree of people trafficking detected over the past three years to date; the action proposed or in hand to deal with the issues arising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26723/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice

Human trafficking is an exploitative and particularly heinous crime that 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.

Last year I published a new strategy to combat human trafficking which reflects and demonstrates our renewed determination to prevent this crime and to ensure victims are identified and supported - both nationally and in cooperation with our international partners.

This new action plan also sets out how the cross-Departmental and multi-agency work to combat this criminal activity and support victims will be taken forward.

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 Siochana 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, 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

• Ensure effective anti-trafficking screening measures are in place at point of entry to the State

• Establish dedicated accommodation for victims of trafficking, ensuring that victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation are provided with gender-specific accommodation

We are also determined to bring the perpetrators and facilitators of this crime to justice and a specialist unit within An Garda Síochána conducts investigations into human trafficking and given that human trafficking is often a transnational crime, An Garda Síochána also actively collaborates with law enforcement agencies in other countries to investigate cases and share information.

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately the information was not received on time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is available.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.

I refer to your Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 20 June 2024 asking the degree of people trafficking detected over the past three years to date; the action proposed or in hand to deal with the issues arising; and if the Minister will make a statement on the matter. You will recall that at the time the question was asked, I contacted An Garda Síochána to request information relevant to the question posed and as it was not available in the time permitted, I undertook to contact you when the information was received.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the following figures set out the number of victims of Human Trafficking identified, as published in the annual Trafficking in Persons report for that year:

• 2021 44 Human Trafficking Victims

• 2022 42 Human Trafficking Victims

• 2023 53 Human Trafficking Victims

In November 2023, I introduced the Third National Action Plan to prevent and combat human trafficking, which is to run 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 Siochana, 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.

• 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

• To ensure effective anti-trafficking screening measures are in place at point of entry to the State

• To establish dedicated accommodation for victims of trafficking, ensuring that victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation are provided with gender-specific accommodation

This new 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. This should be concluded before the end of the year.

It is envisioned that this new strategy will identify more victims of human trafficking and bring them to safety.