As the Deputy is aware, late last year a Scoping Group was established by my Department to consider the availability of data and make recommendations on a study to identify the prevalence of sexual abuse and violence in Ireland today, as well as any emerging trends.
The group was made up of experts and relevant Department officials and was chaired by Professor Dorothy Watson, associate research professor, ESRI, and adjunct professor of sociology at Trinity College Dublin.
The Group completed a draft report and submitted it to me for consideration in April of this year. There was a requirement for further work to be carried out by my Department with a view to advancing the proposals in the report which included consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. Work is currently under way to resolve these issues and I intend to bring proposals to Government in the coming weeks.