The Cabinet has signed off on proposed legislation that could see criminals who are convicted of grooming children into a life of crime face up to five years in prison if convicted.
Currently, there are no laws around adults who induce or coerce a child to engage in criminal activity.
Minister for Justice Simon Harris said the practice of grooming children is probably more widespread than anyone would like to believe.
Speaking on RTÉ's News At One, he said: "A research project has been done by what we call the Greentown Project, in the University of Limerick where they have carried out a national prevalence study.
"They estimate that there are about 1,000 children at any one time [these are my words, not theirs] within the clutches of potentially, of criminal gangs or organised crimes, so this is quite a significant issue."
Minister Harris said the research also shows that this is not just an issue confined to urban Ireland but an issue that is prevalent in both urban and rural Ireland.
He said that for the first time in Irish law, the Criminal Justice Engagement of Children in Criminal Activity Bill 2023 will recognise that there is an offence regarding the harm that can be done to a child by drawing them into a world of criminality.
"It will make it an offence for any adult to compel, coerce, direct or deceive a child for the purpose of engaging them in criminal activities," he said.
Minister Harris explained that up until now, there were very clear laws around criminal activity and in relation to an adult who causes or uses a child to commit a crime, but he said there has never been a recognition in law before about the harm that that action can cause a child.
"So, this will be an offence, it will be standalone offence in Irish law. This is a recommendation from the former Special Rapporteur on Child Protection Geoffrey Shannon," he said.
The minster also said that it will come with a sentence of imprisonment of 12 months on summary conviction or up to five years on indictment.
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Those working in youth crime prevention and diversion have welcomed the announcement of the new Bill which the government hopes will be enacted by the summer recess.
However, Eddie D'Arcy, a youth justice expert who has worked for many years on the Youth Diversion Programme and with the Solas Project, says it could be very difficult to secure prosecutions in this area.
He was happy that the legislation looked set to be enacted rapidly but said: "I think the challenge is going to be securing a successful prosecution.
"Obviously if someone's caught in the company of a minor, say committing a burglary or robbery, maybe that's a bit more simple, but the vast majority of people caught up in offending, it's through the drug gangs and the drug trade and the difficulty there is securing a conviction against them."
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin has called on the Government to increase the maximum sentence under the proposed new legislation.
The party's spokesperson on justice, Martin Kenny, said: "The maximum sentence of five years by Minister Harris is simply too short.
"These despicable criminals are preying on our children and robbing them of a bright future by luring them into a life of crime. It is something that must see significant sentencing."
He said Sinn Féin had brought forward its own suggested legislation in this area, adding: "This Sinn Féin Bill focused on the adults involved in criminality and drug dealing, who target and coerce children to move and supply drugs for them.
"Criminals have groomed children in both urban and rural communities across Ireland. Our Bill allowed for a maximum custodial sentence of ten years, because anyone found guilty of this offence must face a prison sentence that fits the crime."
Additional reporting Eleanor Burnhill
