Jim Higgins
Ceist:281 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will publish a report commissioned two and a half years ago regarding domestic violence against men. [5651/02]
Written Answers. - Domestic Violence.
I presume the Deputy refers to the draft report Men and Domestic Violence: What Research Tells Us which was commissioned from external consultants by my Department in collaboration with the North-Eastern Health Board in 2000.
Kieran McKeown Limited, Social and Economic Research Consultants, were engaged to carry out this work and the draft report was presented to my Department in October 2000. My Department then sought the views of relevant official agencies on the draft report and is still receiving observations at present. It is hoped that final observations will be received shortly and my officials must then present these observations to the researchers to provide them with an opportunity to respond.
This consultation process has raised several issues which require clarification. Until such time as these issues have been clarified it is not possible to give a commitment as to a date for publication.