The purpose of the National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking against Human Beings (2009-2012) is to:

1. Set out the measures which have been undertaken already across Government Departments and Agencies to address this issue;

2. Identify areas which require further action;

3. Set out the structures which, when in place, will bring Ireland into line with its international obligations and allow for the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.

This Plan has been drafted under the following headings:

I. Prevention of human trafficking and awareness raising;

II. Protection of the victim;

III. Prosecution of the trafficker;

IV. Response to child trafficking; and

V. Evaluation.