Holly Cairns
Question:1045. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of reported cases of human trafficking in Ireland in the period 1 January 2015 to 30 June 2020, in tabular form. [20146/20]
View answerThursday, 30 July 2020
Questions (1045)
Written answers
Today, 30 July, is World Day against Trafficking in Persons. Trafficking in persons is a crime and a serious human rights violation. Addressing this crime is an ongoing challenge and the Government is committed to further legislation to combat human trafficking and people smuggling as well as to implementation of a comprehensive strategy to combat trafficking of women and girls.
An Garda Síochána has committed significant resources to the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking. Gardaí are also active in relation to trafficking gangs through work targeting organised crime - targeting their finances, their use of the internet and by working closely with other jurisdictions.
As the Deputy may be aware, there is a specialised unit in An Garda Síochána working to combat this crime- the Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit (HTICU). HTICU conducts investigations into human trafficking and provide advice, support and where necessary, operational assistance to investigations at district level.
I am informed that a total of 64 suspected human trafficking related incidents were reported to An Garda Síochána in 2018, and that 42 such incidents were reported in 2019. As was the case in previous years, in 2019 the vast majority of incidents of human trafficking reported in Ireland related to sexual exploitation.
I further understand that there are currently approximately 80 ongoing criminal investigations in the area of human trafficking.
These are complex cases and it is important to note that while no person has yet been convicted specifically for the offence of trafficking in Ireland, there have been successful convictions in relation to associated charges.
In addition, a High Level Group involving the Department of Justice and Equality, the Office of the DPP and An Garda Síochána is in place, to keep the legislative and operational framework for investigation and prosecution of trafficking under review.
Significant efforts are also being made to combat human trafficking and with our partners abroad. Ireland and our partners are active on this issue in international fora including the UN, Council of Europe, OSCE and the European Union and Ireland. We have a close working relationship, in particular, with the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the OSCE who participate in our Human Trafficking Victims Forum.
Domestically, the National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking takes a victim-centred and human rights based approach. A number of other key actions are also being pursued at present. For example:
- The Department has established a forum for stakeholders in relation to human trafficking, which met for the first time on 10 July;
- Legislation is being drafted to designate the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) as Ireland’s independent National Rapporteur for Anti-Human Trafficking under article 19 of the EU Human Trafficking Directive;
- The review of the Criminal Justice (Sexual Offences) Act 2017, which introduced the offences of paying for sex with a trafficked person, has commenced; and
- There is ongoing engagement by the Department with frontline services to identify solutions to the provision of accommodation to victims of trafficking.
Finally, it is important to note that there is at role for all of us to support the vital work of our frontline services in combatting human trafficking. Anyone can be exploited and it is important for us all to take the time to learn the signs of human trafficking and to be alert in our daily lives to people we encounter who may be the victim of this heinous crime.
I encourage all Deputies and the public to consult the website www.blueblindfold.gov.ie, maintained by my Department, for further information.