165 women who work in the sex industry availed of a HSE support service last year.
116 victims of human trafficking were also helped by the health service in 2019.
The details have been released to Newstalk under the Freedom of Information Act.
The HSE’s Women’s Health Service is a sexual health and outreach support service for women and trans-women in the sex industry.
It is based in Dublin but referrals come from throughout the country.
It includes sexual-health testing, treatment and contraception, along with helping women to exit the sex industry.
148 women and 17 transgender people availed of the service last year.
There were 58 new users – up 18% on the year before.
Amanda Keane is from Ruhama, which helps women affected by prostitution.
She observed: "I think it's really important that there's holistic support there, in place across the country, that comprise of statutory, non-statutory, NGO agencies in order to respond to the need of women who are in prostitution, and others who have been trafficked.
"We know there are at least 1,000 women in prostitution across the country.
"About 97% of these women are migrant women, and a significant number have been trafficked."
Another part of the HSE service is the Anti-Human Trafficking Team, which helps people who’ve been exploited.
A total of 116 people were seen last year – 82 men, 33 women and one transgender person.
