Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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492. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will work with the Central Statistics Office to develop a national sexual violence survey and ensure that this is carried out regularly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3166/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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This Government is committed to preventing and addressing sexual violence in Ireland. It is extremely important to Government, but more importantly to victims of this violence, that policy is effective and driven by accurate, up to date, reliable data. Knowledge and information are essential to making effective policies to prevent and combat sexual violence.

The SAVI Report (which was commissioned by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and first published in 2002) was a really important piece of research. It was the first national survey to assess the prevalence of sexual abuse and violence in Ireland and it gave us insights into the attitudes and perceptions of the general public to sexual violence.

It has proved very useful but it is clear that 20 years on we need an up-to-date survey.

That is why my Department engaged the CSO to develop and deliver a significant new national survey on the prevalence of sexual violence in Ireland. It will look in detail at the experience of sexual violence and abuse for both women and men in Ireland.

The work on this started back in 2018 but it is complex and it is sensitive and we knew it would take time to get it right.

At the outset it was envisaged that the entire process would take in the region of five years – and despite the difficulties the pandemic has presented this remains on track.

In fact, a pilot survey has run and the findings are being examined.

I can confirm for the Deputy that we will be repeating the survey at regular intervals so that we continue to have up-to-date information to help develop the most effective policy, legislation and services. It will also allow is to better evaluate the impact that our work is having.