A US government report says there has been an increase in the number of Irish children subjected to human trafficking.

The State Department study says 44 potential victims of human trafficking were identified last year - 16 of whom were children - with 11 of them Irish nationals.

The report calls on the government to do more to encourage convictions and deter offenders from future crimes.

It classifies Ireland as a "destination, source, and transit country for women, men, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor".

The report says "There has been an increase in identified Irish children subjected to sex trafficking within the country. Victims of forced labor in domestic service and restaurant work are subjected to excessively long hours by employers who withhold personal documents".

It adds that some domestic workers - primarily women - employed by foreign diplomats on assignment in Ireland work under poor conditions and are at risk of labour trafficking.

Ireland complies with 'minimum standards'

The 'Trafficking in Persons 2014' report says the Irish government fully complies "with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking".

It recommends the government implement the 2008 anti-trafficking law to ensure sex trafficking and forced labour offenders are held accountable through convictions and, what it calls, dissuasive sentences.

It also says that training of labour inspectors and other officials on the identification of victims of forced labour should be enhanced.

However there is praise for Ireland as well, with the report noting that the Irish government has improved anti-trafficking prevention efforts.

"It published a handbook for practitioners and victims of trafficking explaining their rights and support services available, and gave presentations to social science and law students to inform them of the issues surrounding human trafficking and to encourage research on the topic" it says.

The government was also praised for provided anti-trafficking training to Irish defence forces prior to their deployment abroad on international peacekeeping missions.

Denise Charlton is the of the Irish Immigrant Council. She says Ireland has failed to heed warnings from previous studies.