Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. My query relates to one issue. The Minister of State will be familiar with the sexual abuse and violence in Ireland, SAVI, report. There was an announcement some time ago that this survey was to be undertaken again. It was last published in 2002. It is a very extensive survey of several thousand people in respect of sexual violence against men, women and children in Ireland. It is considered a key survey by most people involved in issues relating to violence. The CSO is taking it on. The lead on it the last time was Professor Hannah McGee from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. She and her large team carried out an extensive survey which is well regarded by people who work in the field and is considered essential by the rape crisis centres and other bodies that provide services to people who have been subject to sexual violence. Everybody who works in Leinster House is aware of the issue of sexual violence, whether it involves children or others, and we had a discussion yesterday with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, on the issues arising in Scouting Ireland, or other aspects of sexual violence.

The last time the survey was done it took three years, plus preparation, before it was finally published in 2002. It remains the only such survey until now. On balance, the CSO taking it over is a good thing and I support that. However, I see a reference here that the CSO is simply going to commence a scoping exercise. Issues relating to sexual violence in Ireland are very serious issues for our society so I am very disappointed that only a scoping exercise will be commenced. CSO surveys take a long time. Typically, the survey on income and living conditions, SILC, takes a minimum of a year and a half, and many of the changes take very long periods of time to establish. Can the Minister of State say when he expects the survey proper to commence? How long does he expect it to take? How long will the scoping exercise, as it is described, last before the CSO commences the survey? It is incredibly disappointing for all the organisations that work with victims of violence. It is also an important survey in assisting the work of the Garda Síochána.