The Government has been urged to carry out an updated study on the level of sexual violence in Ireland.
The call was made by Independent Catherine Connolly during Leaders' Questions.
The Galway West TD said that the Sexual Assault and Violence in Ireland report was conducted in 2002 and, for the first time, revealed the high levels of offending in the country.
The report has never been replicated since then.
Ms Connolly said that as a result policy and decision-making was being done with no background information.
The Taoiseach said the Government is "deeply committed to taking action against gender-based" and other forms of violence.
Leo Varadkar told the chamber that other studies had been carried out which did reveal some information and their priority has been the development of services such as refuges.
He said the cost of a similar study would be around €1m, which is a considerable amount of money.
The argument, he said, is whether that money would be better used to provide support and enforcement but it is something to be considered.
The Taoiseach said he would discuss the matter with his ministers.
