Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
79. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what steps his Department is taking to reduce the rate of child trafficking in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55427/23]
View answerBoth my Department and Tusla are deeply cognisant of the increased risk of child trafficking and sexual exploitation of vulnerable children and young people, whether relating to children and young people in care or those in the wider community.
Of particular concern is the increased instance of separated children seeking asylum who enter into the care of the State and subsequently cannot be accounted for. As the Deputy will be aware, the greatly increased numbers of people arriving in Ireland seeking international protection over the last two years has also brought a much larger cohort of separated children seeking asylum than had previously arrived in the State.
Following the publication of the UCD SERP Protecting Against Predators report in July, I met with the report authors and my officials engaged with Tusla to follow up with the 21 people interviewed to ensure all issues highlighted were being actively followed up, including in respect of necessary reporting to An Garda Síochána.
In September, I met with the Tusla Separated Children Seeking Asylum Team and An Garda Síochána to hear directly from them about ongoing efforts to trace all cases where a child goes missing; including regular engagement with authorities in the UK and other EU Member States.
I subsequently attended the Tusla National Child Safeguarding Strategic Liaison Committee Meeting.
Following these engagements, the Senior Garda Investigation Officer under Operation Coisnaim, the AGS Operation for Trafficking for Children and Young People, is currently carrying out review of effectiveness of the operation and will report in early 2024.
Tusla have also worked to reduce the number of separated children seeking asylum requiring special care arrangements. Tusla have further commissioned the Children's Rights Alliance to lead Stakeholder Engagement with all relevant stakeholders for separated children seeking asylum to examine all aspects of care and support available. The report and recommendations of this stakeholder group will be published in January.
Since the summer, I have also discussed the matter directly with the Ombudsman for Children, the Special Rapporteur for Child protection and the Children's’ Rights Alliance.
