Gardaí carried out 5 search warrants last week, as part of a national effort to protect sex workers.
46 people were found allegedly buying sex.
Gardaí are also investigating possible leads on human trafficking.
Officers carried out two national days of action last week, targeting 11 counties.
Superintendent Derek Maguire says human trafficking is an issue facing every county in Ireland:
"It's not just sexual exploitation, which was the focus of this day of action."
"But it's also labour exploitation, forced criminality."
"People can be trafficked for organ harvesting too."
Gardaí spoke with 112 sex workers during welfare checks last week.
They reported some positive engagement with one worker asking for Gardai to investigate an assault.
But Linda Cavanagh from the Sex Workers’ Alliance of Ireland says last week’s operation has had a negative impact on some workers:
"Some sex workers are definitely reassured by the presence of the Gardai."
"But others are very very fearful."
Gardaí are asking with information on human trafficking to report it or do so anonymously through blueblindfold.ie
