Report calls for strong measures to protect child victims of trafficking

Tusla chief executive Kate Duggan said that as of September 25, there was a total of 28 children missing — including children from Ukraine.

A new report on the challenges facing unaccompanied children in Ireland’s care system has called for strong measures to be put in place for victims of trafficking.

The report, commissioned by EPIC, which advocates for children in care and young care leavers, was carried out by Dr Muireann Ní Raghallaigh, Dr Joanne Kelleher, and Professor Prospera Tedam. During the research, concern was raised by professionals working with children in the Separated Children in International Protection system, overseen by Tusla, of the possibility of some such children being exposed to trafficking.

The report noted that in June, there were 478 separated children being accommodated by Tusla, including 319 international protection applicants and 159 young people from Ukraine.

Tusla chief executive Kate Duggan told the Public Accounts Committee last week that the number currently stands at 528. She also said that as of September 25, there was a total of 28 children in that cohort who were missing — including children from Ukraine.

She said: “Out of the 28 missing, one is between one and three days, one is between three and seven days, one is missing over one week and 25 are missing over two weeks. 

"It is important to say that of that 25, 16 went missing in 2025, eight went missing in 2024 and one went missing in 2023.” 

The report published by EPIC on Friday identified the age assessment of young people arriving into Ireland under the international protection system as a factor which plays a big role in whether an arrival is put into the child or adult system.

It also poses difficulties in relation to trafficking, according to an input into research by a professional who works with such children.

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The report gave an example put forward by the participant: “We had two young boys come through, and we thought they were very young, but they kept saying they were 18. 

"And eventually one of them came over and goes, ‘I’m really scared. I lied. And people told me if I lie and I’m found out, they’ll deport me'. And we identified a pattern among a lot of the boys [from that country] coming through, and it was the exact same story. They were all underage. They were saying the same story of why they had come to Ireland. They had been trafficked in. But they’d all been told to lie and say they were 18.”  

The report says there should be a review carried out by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality around whether existing inspection standards in relation to the needs of unaccompanied children are adequate. It added: “The review should also ensure robust supports and safeguards are in place for victims of trafficking.”