Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 January 2014
566. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons granted the recovery and reflection period as victims of trafficking under his Department's administrative arrangements for the years 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1094/14]
View answerA period of Recovery and Reflection for Victims of Human Trafficking is provided for under the Administrative Immigration Arrangements for the Protection of Victims of Trafficking. Under these Administrative Immigration Arrangements persons who have been identified by a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of Superintendent in the Garda National Immigration Bureau as a suspected victim of human trafficking may be granted a permission to remain lawfully in the State for a period of 60 days (a ‘recovery and reflection period’). The purpose of the recovery and reflection period is to allow the person:
a) time to recover from the alleged trafficking, and
b) to escape the influence of the alleged perpetrators of the alleged trafficking
so that he or she can take an informed decision as to whether to assist Gardaí or other relevant authorities in relation to any investigation or prosecution arising in relation to the alleged trafficking.
Temporary residence permissions for victims of human trafficking are also provided for under these Administrative Immigration Arrangements and may be granted to suspected victims of human trafficking either during or after the period of Recovery and Reflection to allow them to continue to cooperate with An Garda Síochána. These temporary residence permissions are valid for a period of six months and may be renewed. No suspected victim of human trafficking identified in 2012 required the period of Recovery and Reflection. Three persons were granted six months temporary residence permission under the Administrative Immigration Arrangements. Two suspected victims of human trafficking were granted a period of Recovery and Reflection in 2013 and a further two persons were granted six months temporary residence permission under the Administrative Immigration Arrangements.
For the purposes of clarity I wish to inform the Deputy that the Administrative Immigration Arrangements for the Protection of Victims of Trafficking only apply in circumstances in which persons have no legal basis to remain in the State. The vast majority of persons identified as suspected victims of human trafficking in Ireland are already holders of valid immigration permissions and therefore do not require the permissions provided for in the Administrative Immigration Arrangements.
