Anne Rabbitte
Ceist:15. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason the Government has not recommissioned the SAVI report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22331/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 11 May 2017
Ceisteanna (15)
Freagraí scríofa
I believe that the first report on Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland (SAVI 1) made a valuable contribution to our understanding of the area. I am supportive, in principle, to an appropriate follow-up study, and I will pursue this further with the Tánaiste, whose Department leads on this area.
The Department of Justice and Equality plays a whole-of-Government role in this area through the National Office for the prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (Cosc). That Department has indicated that it is investigating the resource implications and approaches to identify a ring-fenced funding stream for undertaking this body of work.
I understand that the proposal for a second Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland (SAVI 2) research project envisages a significant level of expenditure over a three year period by the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Skills and my Department. The overall expenditure has been estimated to be approximately €920,000 over three years, of which €230,000 is being sought from my Department.
Apart from the funding of existing commitments relating to the Growing Up in Ireland Study, my Department has only a very limited commissioned research budget. The majority of this budget has been committed for 2017 and 2018.
In relation to the prioritisation of expenditure, Tusla has advised my Department that its priority in this area is aimed at enhancing its knowledge regarding Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence in order to support the planning and commissioning of services. To this end, Tusla is working with funded service provider organisations to implement standard data gathering and reporting mechanisms and to address data quality issues.
In addition, Tusla advises that, in implementing its obligations under both the Istanbul Convention and commitments under the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, it will be examining how to address specific research and evidence needs to inform future commissioning and to support the measurement of outcomes.
Finally, there are important public procurement considerations, and accordingly, in order to be compliant with public procurement rules, any commissioned research funded by my Department is subject to the procurement process.