A Government task force has been established to see if there is a need to conduct a second report into the prevalence of sexual abuse and violence in Ireland.
Minister for Education Richard Bruton told the Dáil that an assessment is being carried out to decide if a follow-up to the SAVI (Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland) report is required.
The original report was carried out in 2002 and gave a detailed picture of the levels of sexual abuse in Ireland.
In the Dáil, Independent TD Catherine Connolly said one of the key recommendations of the original report was that a follow up study should be conducted.
"Please carry out a SAVI 2," she said.
In response, Minister Bruton said: "There is a review already from within departments and the CSO and there is a consultation with non-governmental organisations to assess this."
He said a task force had been set up and if there was a need to undertake better research a decision would be taken by the Government in the normal way.
"It would be remiss if we didn't assess all the evidence to date, and narrow down where the gaps are and where we need new information," he said.
But Ms Connolly said it was her view that the obstacle is simply money.
"Your own Tanaiste said a SAVI report could be dealt with if she could find the money," she said.
Minister Bruton said there is ongoing work into the matter at Government level.
Last month, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the Dáil that he had "an open mind" on the study, estimated to cost €1m.
But he said some people questioned whether the money should be spent on services.
A number of Government departments have indicated they do not individually have the budget resources to provide the €1m cost.
Asked whether it was beyond the ability of a number of ministers and department to get together and pool funding, Children's Minister Katherine Zappone said it was not beyond their ability and she hoped this could be done.
