Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 November 2016
72. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will make resources available within her Department to support and facilitate a centre (details supplied) in view of the improving economic conditions. [34085/16]
View answerA second Sexual Assault and Violence in Ireland study (SAVI 2) would show the prevalence of and attitudes to sexual violence and elucidate how the experience has changed since SAVI 1. The overall cost of a report is likely to be in the order of €1 million over three years. A formal proposal submitted by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre recognised that, given the significant budget, funding would be divided between four Departments - the Departments of Justice and Equality, Children and Youth Affairs, Education and Skills, and Health. I wrote to the relevant Ministers on this matter and expressed my support for the project. The responses received make the viability of funding the project, as proposed, unlikely.
However, my Department continues to investigate the financial feasibility, resource implications and approaches to identifying a ring-fenced funding stream for undertaking a SAVI 2 study and to explore obligations with regard to requisite public procurement arrangements. While I strongly recognise the value of further research in this area, I am sure the Deputy will accept that the right balance must be struck between the funding of front-line services and funding research. I will, however, continue to pursue this matter.
It may be helpful to add that in March 2014, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) launched the results of the largest ever violence against women survey in the EU. Details of the prevalence of sexual violence by a partner or non-partner experienced by those women surveyed who are resident in Ireland are contained in this report.
