Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Burton for an important question on what is a challenging subject. The CSO has been charged with undertaking this important work. That will involve the CSO scoping a means of collecting sensitive personal data in a manner that is confidential, ethical and designed to support accurate and reliable survey results. Protecting the privacy and supporting the needs of all involved must be the priority in doing so. The challenge of SAVI is a departure for the CSO. For the data to be robust, explicit questions regarding behaviours associated with sexual violence will have to be asked of respondents. It will require specialist expertise and training, consultation with key stakeholders and consideration of best practice from international statistical organisations regarding the appropriate collection methods.

In view of the complexity and sensitivity of the survey, it is envisaged that the entire process of scoping, planning, executing and reporting may take approximately five years. Exact timelines will only emerge as the scoping exercise progresses. Obviously, we all hope that period could be reduced but if a five-year timeframe is due the complexity of the issue, then that is what will be required. However, if it can be reduced, it will be. The provision of reliable, robust, objective and internationally comparable information requires that the planning and execution of the survey are undertaken in a professional and comprehensive manner. There is an amount of preparatory work to be done in regard to what form and shape the survey will take. Then there will be a degree of training of the people who will have to conduct interviews about sensitive information where confidentiality is a must. People will not take part in a survey unless they can be assured that the confidentiality of their data is protected. We would love if this could be completed more quickly, but it may take approximately five years.