Order. I call Deputy Howlin.

In my first Leaders' Questions as party leader, I read out some of the shocking statistics from the 2015 Women's Aid report. The latest version of that report records that there were 19,385 disclosures of domestic abuse against women and children, including 607 cases of sexual abuse. According to Garda statistics last year, 2,947 sexual offences were committed in Ireland, of which 655 were cases of rape. Sadly, there are probably many more victims behind these numbers who did not come forward. Sadly, again, very few rape trials end in conviction. The National Women's Council of Ireland has called for reform of data collection in relation to sexual assault, in particular rape. It has asked for a number of State agencies, including An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, Tusla and others, to work together to ensure the best possible data are available to policymakers. Current gaps in the data are preventing the bringing to justice of perpetrators. The recent HIQA report on the failings of Tusla in the handling of sexual offence allegations is yet another example of that.

Last weekend, it was my honour to present at the Labour Youth conference the annual Jim Kemmy "Thirst for Justice" award to the Rape Crisis Network Ireland.

The Rape Crisis Network plays a vital role in working with survivors of rape and, in particular, co-ordinating and supporting local rape crisis centres. However, as the Taoiseach will be aware, funding for the network has been cut and the organisation is struggling to continue with its vital work. Curiously, its funding has been placed under Tusla even though adult victims of rape and sexual abuse are outside the legal remit of Tusla. The network is unlikely to receive the priority it deserves in that context.

The new #MeToo movement is spreading around the world as people recognise the victims of sexual assault and rape and encourage them to come forward. As part of the #MeToo phenomenon, a great many women across the world, and men too, have shown tremendous courage by sharing publicly their experiences. This is helping to break down some of the barriers to victims receiving justice.

It is urgent for us to ensure the State is providing sufficient funding to these vital services to support victims of sexual violence and rape and ensure there is a safe space to enable victims to come forward. Will funding be fully restored to the Rape Crisis Network? Does the Taoiseach consider Tusla to be the appropriate funding body for this network? Does he agree that a more appropriate State agency or Department of State should be found?

I thank Deputy Howlin for raising the important issue of sexual violence. Although he did not mention it, we are all aware of a recent conviction in the courts and the unspeakable crimes that were committed in the case in question, which highlights the devastating impact of sexual violence. I express my admiration for the victims in reporting the offences to the Garda because many men and women do not report sexual violence and rape. We need to ensure we put in place a supportive environment for them to do so.

I will definitely look into the issue the Deputy raises regarding funding cuts to the Rape Crisis Network. I will seek a note on that today. I do not understand why it has occurred. The budget for Tusla increased by €40 million this year. I am not sure whether these cuts happened this year or under the previous Government but I will certainly check that out.

Who was in the previous Government?

I have an open mind as to whether the Rape Crisis Network should be funded by Tusla. I would be interested to find out from the network which body it would prefer to receive funding from and the reasons for its preference. The Deputy raises valid points and I will certainly look into them.

I should point out the some of the actions the Government is taking with regard to sexual violence to change attitudes and ensure perpetrators are punished. The second national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence runs from 2016 to 2021. We are nearing completion on the actions necessary for Ireland to ratify the Council of Europe convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention. The Domestic Violence Act, which was enacted at long last on 8 May, significantly enhances the legal protections available to victims of domestic violence. In addition, we published the general scheme of the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill, which contains valuable provisions to assist in the management of serious sexual offenders upon release, including tagging and a better sex offender register.

I thank the Taoiseach for his response. The Rape Crisis Network Ireland is the co-ordinating body of rape crisis centres and provides valuable support to them. It was surprised to be placed under the remit of Tusla. While this was an organisational matter, there is an understanding that the network is not being given the priority it merits in the context of the many different pressures placed on Tusla, some of which were rehearsed in a previous question. I ask the Taoiseach to review this matter.

With regard to the Istanbul Convention, it is important that Ireland ratifies the convention as a matter of priority.

I will conclude by mentioning two other points. I will look into the issues the Deputy raises, both in terms of the quantum of funding and the most appropriate body to fund the rape crisis centres.

The Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, recently announced a full review of the sexual assault and treatment units around the country. These units provide support for victims of sexual violence and do significant work supporting men and women after sexual violence. However, we need to ensure we have a national plan in place and greater geographic equity because we do not have that at present.

The expert group led by Professor Dorothy Watson is nearing the completion of its work. We established the group in response to demands that we have a second Sexual Assault and Violence in Ireland or SAVI report. We should be in a position to announce in the near future a new detailed survey of sexual violence and domestic violence because one needs to know the facts to drive evidence based policy and one cannot improve matters if one does not measure them. We are keen to get a second SAVI survey up and running in the next couple of months. The survey may not be exactly the same as the SAVI survey done ten or 15 years ago. That should not be the case given that much has changed since but we need to have the data.