Flanagan to bring proposals for collecting sexual abuse data to Cabinet ‘within weeks’

Charlie Flanagan

Mr Flanagan told the Seanad he is developing proposals informed by the scoping group set up last year to consider the availability of data and make recommendations on a study to identify the prevalence of sexual abuse and violence in Ireland today and emerging trends.

The scoping group was made up of experts and relevant Department officials, and chaired by Professor Dorothy Watson, associate research professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and adjunct professor of sociology at TCD.

The group’s draft report is currently being considered by Mr Flanagan’s office.

He said: “This work is extremely complex and requires careful consideration of the sensitivities and practicalities involved. A further piece of technical work is being completed by my Department to enable me to bring proposals to Cabinet.

“I expect to be in a position to do this in a matter of weeks. Once the report has been considered by Government it will be possible to be more specific about its recommendations.”