Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 6

Written Answers. - Probation and Welfare Service.

Seán Barrett

Question:

45 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the level of resources made available to the Probation and Welfare Service over the past ten years; and the percentage that level represents of the total budget for prisons over the same period.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

Prior to 1991, salaries, wages, allowances and office operating expenses of the Probation and Welfare Service were charged to the Office of the Minister for Justice Vote as distinct from the Prisons Vote. It is not possible for that reason to extract with total accuracy the expenditure relating to the Probation and Welfare Service. The position was changed in 1991 when the Probation and Welfare Subheads were transferred to the Prisons Vote.

However, as accurate a statistical breakdown as possible for all the years in question has been compiled which I propose to circulate.

Generally, resources devoted to the Probation and Wefare Service have steadily increased in absolute terms over the past ten years and as a percentage of the total prisons and Probation and Welfare Service budgets over the past seven years: the percentage has gone up from 7.22 per cent in 1983 to 9.21 per cent in 1992.

	Total Probation and Welfare Service Expenditure	Total Prisons and Probation and Welfare Expenditure	Probation and Welfare as a percentage of Prisons Expenditure
			(%)
1983	3,267,687	45,238,528	7.22
1984	3,981,881	43,304,975	9.19
1985	4,483,344	55,914,407	8.02
1986	5,227,195	75,279,850	6.94
1987	5,232,508	66,764,461	7.83
1988	5,008,807	58,596,896	8.55
1989	5,279,020	64,680,822	8.16
1990	5,745,602	75,903,189	7.57
1991	6,984,676	82,202,744	8.50
1992	8,199,000	89,066,000	9.21

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

46 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice the various measures, if any, that her Department has put in place in co-operation with the Gardaí and Bord Fáilte in 1993 to protect tourists from attack; if these measures have been effective in reducing the number of incidents; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

64 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice if she has satisfied herself that the measures which her Department have put in place in co-operation with the Gardaí have been effective in reducing the number of attacks on tourists during the 1993 tourist season.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

97 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice the number of reported attacks on tourists visiting this country in the years 1991 and 1992 and to date in 1993; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

98 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice the number of individuals convicted and sentenced for attacks on tourists visiting this country in the years 1992 and to date in 1993; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

I propose to take oral Questions Nos. 46 and 64 and written Questions Nos. 97 and 98 together.

First of all I would like to say that it would be very misleading to infer that attacks on tourists is a problem peculiar to this country. In fact, we are all aware from events during the summer that tourists are vulnerable and are subject to attack in every country of the world, indeed the risks in many other cities and countries are much greater than here. According to information I have received from the Garda authorities, for example, there are about a half a million attacks on tourists in Amsterdam each year compared with fewer than 3,000 here in 1992. The reality is that in every country in the world there are people who are able and prepared to take advantage of groups such as tourists who are often easily identifiable and, therefore, targeted by criminals who view them as easy prey. This type of crime is particularly abhorrent to a country such as this which prides itself on a tradition of hospitality and welcome to visitors from abroad. In this respect, it is important that the problem of attacks on tourists is not overstated as the perception can easily be gained abroad that the level and extent of the problem is much greater than that which actually exists. In other words, this country has a good reputation to protect which has been built-up abroad by hard work and excellent marketing over a considerable period of time. I have the impression that other countries, which have far more serious problems in this regard than we do, are much more conscious of the risks associated with overstatement on the subject.

I have drawn attention to these facts only in the interests of balance and certainly not to give the impression that crimes against tourists in Ireland are acceptable. I can assure the House that as far as I am concerned any crime, including those against tourists is reprehensible, and every effort is being made to ensure that the criminals involved are brought to justice.

I have outlined both in the Seanad and in this House on a number of occasions, and most recently on 17 June, 1993 in response to a matter raised on the Adjournment by the Deputy, the measures which are being taken by the Garda authorities to deal with the problem of attacks against tourists. These, which I consider are worth mentioning again, include: close liaison and co-operation between the Garda authorities, Bord Fáilte and other tourist interests; deployment of additional Garda patrols, both uniformed and plainclothes to areas frequented by tourists; all Garda patrols, and in particular those operating in areas of high tourist interest are encouraged to be alert to the problem; provision and distribution of information leaflets containing practical advice on how tourists to this country can protect their property and personal belongings; the topic is covered extensively in Garda in-service training courses and gardaí are encouraged to avail themselves of language training courses to enable them to be of assistance to foreign visitors; the Garda office in O'Connell Street serves as a centre for advising tourists to Dublin on preventative measures which they can take to safeguard themselves and their belongings.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that these measures are proving effective. However, the situation will be kept under review and any other measures which are considered necessary to deal with this problem will be implemented.

The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the number of recorded crimes against tourists and convictions for such offences for 1991 and 1992 is set out in the tabular statement below. Figures for 1993 are not yet available.

	Number of recorded crimes	Number of convictions
1991	2,505	214
1992	2,840	121