Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:
813. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons arrested and charged with human trafficking offences in 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16847/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra
The information sought by the Deputy has been requested from An Garda Síochána and I will revert directly to Deputy once it has been received.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to your Parliamentary Question No. 813 of 31 March 2021 requesting the number of persons arrested and charged with human trafficking offences in 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. You will recall that at the time the information sought was requested from An Garda Síochána, and Minister McEntee undertook to forward the information to you as soon as it was available.
In the time period referred, 2020 up to 29 March 2021, there have been three people arrested for an alleged human trafficking offence, with one criminal charge preferred.
I am advised by An Garda Síochána that for a complete and informed response, some context around arrests for human trafficking and other offences is required. It should be noted that human trafficking is frequently associated with other criminal behaviour, such as:
- Participating or enhancing a Criminal Organisation;
- Organised Prostitution;
- Brothel Keeping;
- Money Laundering;
- Theft and Fraud offences;
- Rape and Sexual Assault;
- Sexual Exploitation.
Where a person has by their actions committed a number of criminal offences associated with trafficking as set out above, for operational reasons and for the purposes of arrest and detention, that person may be arrested for one offence, but questioned and possibly charged with several others.
I trust this information is of assistance.
