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Departmental Surveys

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 October 2019

Thursday, 10 October 2019

Ceisteanna (142)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

142. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 31 of 3 October 2019, the consultation process; and the location of the open town hall stakeholder event; the membership of the two expert working groups and liaison group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41465/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, earlier this year my Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Central Statistics Office (CSO) in relation to the National Sexual Violence Prevalence Survey. This large scale survey will look in detail at the experience of sexual violence and abuse in Ireland, with repeat large scale surveys every decade. The goal is for an ongoing programme of high quality research in a sensitive and ethical way, to ensure a robust set of data to inform Government policy.

Funding of €150,000 was provided for 2019 to allow the CSO to carry out the preliminary technical research. I am pleased to say that specific funding has also been provided in Budget 2020 for the next phase of this work.

The CSO has commenced preparatory work on the survey. I am informed that to date, the preparatory phase has involved a wide consultation process, including an open town hall stakeholder event and establishment of two expert working groups and a broad Liaison Group for the project.

The preparatory phase includes consideration of best international practice and the refinement of data variables and questionnaire design as well as a full pilot survey in the field in 2020.

A specific section on the CSO website has been developed with information on the survey. The Deputy may find it helpful to consult that page http://www.cso.ie/en/methods/crime/sexualviolencesurvey/

The Deputy also requested information in relation to the consultation process engaged in and the location of the stakeholder event. I am informed that the CSO met in March 2019 with key stakeholders at the Monitoring Committee of the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. A stakeholder information session was also organised in May 2019 at the Aisling Hotel, Dublin.

The Liaison Group has been established to facilitate meaningful consultation with the sexual violence sector in Ireland. It includes nominated experts from the University of Limerick and National University of Ireland Galway, representatives from relevant agencies including my Department, the Central Statistics Office, TUSLA, the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit, National Women's Council as well as representatives from Women’s Aid, One in Four, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and Rape Crisis Network Ireland. Further information on the terms of reference and activities of the Liaison Group is available online at the following link https://www.cso.ie/en/aboutus/lgdp/cgt/ocg/csogroups/sexualviolencesurveysvsliaisongroup/

Two expert groups have been established - a research and data expert group and a policy expert group. The Policy Expert Group includes representatives of the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Skills, TUSLA, the Central Statistics Office, the Courts Service of Ireland, Garda National Protective Services Bureau, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Probation Service.

The Research/Data Expert Group includes representatives of the Department of Justice and Equality, the Central Statistics Office, National University of Ireland, Galway, University of Limerick, University College Cork and the Economic and Social Research Institute.

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