'Children at risk over failure to introduce new system to identify human trafficking'

It is expected that the number of identified victims is much higher than the current system has recognised.

Vulnerable children are being left at risk by the failure to introduce a new system to identify human trafficking, according to an advocacy group for victims.

Until the establishment of a new referral mechanism through the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024, victims of human trafficking in Ireland can only be formally recognised by gardaí. 

Under the proposed mechanism, a number of government departments and agencies would become competent authorities to also identify victims of traffickers. 

It is expected that the number of identified victims is much higher than the current system has recognised.

More than 7,000 children were identified as victims of trafficking through Britain’s national referral mechanism (NRM) in 2023. 

In comparison, just five child trafficking victims were identified in Ireland in the same 12-month period.

Although the legislation for the new mechanism was passed in July 2024, the Department of Justice says that work is ongoing on developing it.

A spokesman said: “Preparatory work is under way to finalise operational aspects of the new mechanism before it can be launched, and the relevant provisions of the legislation is commenced. 

"In advance of the commencement of the revised NRM, with further competent authorities, An Garda Síochána remains the competent authority for identifying victims. If other bodies or organisations are in contact with potential victims, they are referred to An Garda Síochána.” 

JP O'Sullivan, programme manager with the anti-trafficking advocacy organisation, MECPaths, said: “The slow implementation of the mechanism highlights a systemic failure to prioritise the rights, identification, and protection of trafficking victims in Ireland. 

"Despite years of working alongside civil society, the Department of Justice’s third National Action Plan remains unfulfilled, leaving frontline organisations underinformed and vulnerable children at risk."

He added: “The persistent delays in fully implementing the national referral mechanism reveal a concerning disregard for victims’ rights and safety. 

While the Government stalls, human trafficking victims — especially vulnerable children — remain exposed and unprotected. 

"Six years of civil society collaboration have yielded little more than sidelined action plans and an information blackout, leaving us at a dangerous standstill.” 

Two years ago, the Trafficking in Persons report from the US state department criticised the Irish government for not amending its national referral mechanism and said that “systemic deficiencies in victim identification, referral, and assistance persisted”.

The report highlighted that there was especially a need to identify and protect “Irish citizens, victims of labour trafficking and forced criminality, and vulnerable populations like children, sea fishers, and asylum-seekers”.

Last month, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission wrote to minister for justice Jim O’Callaghan to raise concerns about the lack of progress in tackling human trafficking, including the introduction of the referral mechanism.