Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Spending by the Government is increasing by roughly 4% per year. It is only in the last year or two that we have gone from deficit to surplus and we are talking in as much in revenue as we spend. Government spending is increasing by about 4% a year. As the Deputy pointed out, we increased the budget in this area by 10%, which is a recognition of the priority we place on this issue. The fact is that we are willing to increase resources for this area at twice the rate we are increasing funding for other areas, some of which have had funding frozen or reduced. The Deputy mentioned some of those areas earlier.

In terms of what we are doing on the issue, we are reforming the law and I have given some examples of that. We are also investing in education and public awareness campaigns and the Deputy acknowledged that this has led to an increase in the number of women and men coming forward, which is to be welcomed. We are also improving our data in this area, which is very important too.

I am aware that the Deputy has campaigned successfully for us to go ahead with a new study on sexual violence in Ireland, which is being done. We are also providing additional resources and training to gardaí, as I mentioned earlier.

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