Parents and children are to be surveyed in a nationwide study on smacking, it emerged tonight.
The Health Department today issued tenders to carry out two research studies spanning the 26 counties.
One survey, Research on the Physical Chastisement of Children by Parents, will examine how parents discipline their children and also gauge their attitudes towards legislative changes.
The second survey, Parenting Styles and Discipline from a Child's Perspectivewill explore issues arising for kids in relation to parenting styles. ISPCC chief executive Paul Gilligan welcomed the moves.
"A number of international treaties and charters form the background to this initiative.
"It's very welcome that Government is looking at this issue because I think they will find that there is support for and a need for legislation that will ban physical punishment towards children."
The research is due to begin after the November 8 tender deadline.