This joint civil society submission to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review assesses Ireland’s progress on human rights, with a particular focus on human trafficking and access to education. It acknowledges positive steps, such as the development of the Third National Action Plan on Human Trafficking, but highlights persistent shortcomings in implementation, coordination, and accountability. The report identifies major gaps in victim identification, especially for children, limited prosecutions, inadequate supports and accommodation, and rising concerns around labour exploitation. It calls for stronger legal frameworks, better data systems, expanded training for frontline professionals, and more effective enforcement measures, alongside a victim-centred approach that ensures access to justice and services.
The submission also examines structural exclusion within Ireland’s education system, noting that a cohort of young people is effectively denied meaningful access to post-primary education due to poverty, trauma, and inflexible school models. It argues that alternative education provision is fragmented, under-recognised, and underfunded, and fails to meet the needs of vulnerable learners. The authors recommend establishing a statutory framework for alternative education, ensuring sustainable funding, improving cross-sector coordination, and embedding the voices of young people in decision-making. Overall, the submission calls for systemic, rights-based reforms to better protect vulnerable groups and ensure Ireland meets its international human rights obligations.
READ THE FULL REPORT HERE: 1. To Share – UPR of Ireland APT Ireland Submission. April 2nd 2026