The number of people who faced prosecution for rape increased by nearly 12 per cent last year, according to freedom of information files.
The DPP directed to prosecute 188 people for the offence in 2021 - compared to 168 the previous year.
It continues a gradual increase over the past decade, as the figure was only 94 in 2011.
Noeline Blackwell, the chief executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, says last year's number is still very low.
"We get a least twice as many contacts regarding rape through our helpline than the gaurds do, and we don't even get everybody".
She says while the capacity for reporting crimes has improved in the past decade, there is still a "massive lack of incentive" for victims considering reporting a crime.
