Information regarding the number of crimes against tourists is provided by the Tourist Victim Support Service, TVSS. Since its inception in 1994, the service has assisted more than 5,700 people. The TVSS assists only those referred to it by An Garda Síochána and I understand the number of referrals has gradually declined in recent years from 488 in 1999 to 427 in 2000 and 393 last year. While I welcome this reduction, I stress that there is no room for complacency because there is no acceptable level of crime.
I am satisfied that the TVSS promotes its services widely in the tourism sector. The TVSS has an excellent brochure outlining the services it provides to tourist victims of crime and I understand the brochure has been widely distributed to hotels and hostels in Dublin city and to tourist offices around the country, as well as being on display on ferries. The TVSS receives excellent assistance from An Garda Síochána and I note that presentations by the service are regularly given to student gardaí in Templemore Garda training college.