On 1 January 2009, the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of my Department initiated a data collection strategy for the purpose of gaining a more in-depth understanding of the nature and extent of human trafficking in Ireland. To date, annual reports for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 have been published and are available from Ireland’s dedicated anti-human trafficking website, www.blueblindfold.gov.ie, in addition to my Department’s website.
For the purposes of clarity, the information sought, as outlined in these annual reports, is below. As the report for 2013 is to be published soon, the figures for 2013 are preliminary as are the figures for 2014.
The specific information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table beneath.
YEAR
|
of a Minor
|
Prosecutions in relation to trafficking for purpose of sexual exploitation of an Adult
|
2009
|
3
|
-
|
2010
|
4
|
1
|
2011
|
6
|
1
|
2012
|
13
|
-
|
2013
|
16
|
-
|
2014
|
14
|
-
|
For the sake of completeness, I would note that although prosecutions were initiated as a result of human trafficking related investigations in 2 cases in 2012 and 1 case in 2014, the offenders were prosecuted for offences other than human trafficking and are not included in the figures for those years set out above.
There were no prosecutions for the soliciting or importuning for purposes of prostitution of a trafficked person contrary to section 5 of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 during the period.