Vol. 463 No. 8
8 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the range of help given to tourists when they fall victim to crime; the areas in which victim support is available throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7524/96]
As I have indicated in the past in response to similar Dáil Questions, support for tourists who fall victim to crime is provided primarily through the Tourist Victim Support Service. This is, of course, in addition to measures designed to address the problem of crime against tourists generally, such as increased Garda activity in areas of high tourist interest, regular liaison between the Garda authorities, Bord Fáilte and other tourism interests and distribution of safety leaflets to tourists.
The Tourist Victim Support Service was set up in 1994 and operates from premises provided by the Department of Justice in Harcourt Square, Dublin. It provides emotional and practical support, such as assistance in replacing passports, travel documents, travellers cheques etc. to tourist victims, who must be referred to it by the Garda. Benefit-in-kind rather than direct financial aid is provided by the tourism industry. This includes emergency accommodation, travel tickets, clothing and toiletries, meal vouchers etc. The service has a full time co-ordinator and some 30 volunteer staff with a range of foreign languages and specialist training in tourist victim support.
While the service was initially set up to serve the Dublin area, where most of the crime against tourists occurs, it has assisted tourist victims referred by the Garda from outside Dublin. The Garda authorities throughout the country have accordingly been made aware of the service and the range of support it provides.
As I indicated in response to a similar question on 27 February last, consideration is being given to an extension of the service to other parts of the country where the Victim Support organisation already has a presence. At present, as Deputies will be aware, the organisation has branches in Dublin, Carlow, Cork, Louth, Laois, Mayo, Sligo, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow. These branches are being asked to nominate volunteers to attend a training course in tourist victim support to be held in Dublin on 7 and 8 June 1996. Future extension of the service will depend on the take up of training.
The Victim Support organisation also plans to expand its national coverage in relation to its core victim support activities and I understand that there is a particular interest in forming new branches in Counties Galway, Kerry and Limerick. If this happens, the new branches may, in time, be in a position to also offer a tourist victim service locally especially given the very low level of crime against tourists in areas outside Dublin and the level of expertise available within the organisation.
The success of the service to date is reflected in the rising level of support it receives from the business community and the positive feedback from tourists that it has assisted.
Finally, it must be remembered that crime is a worldwide phenomenon and that the levels of crime in Ireland are very low in comparison with other countries. While Ireland is a safe and friendly destination, people should take reasonable precautions as they would in any other country. Such precautionary measures will help to ensure that our overseas visitors enjoy a wonderful holiday in a friendly environment and that Ireland retains its positive image in our overseas markets.
I pay tribute to the Tourist Victim Support Service which does a marvellous job with little financial support from the State. Does the Minister intend to give additional financial support to this wonderful service, which is operated by individuals with the great assistance of the Garda Síochána? Having visited the premises in Harcourt Square, does the Minister intend to uplift the operation and relocate it in a separate premises, having regard to the need to expand the service? While we have a positive tourist image, nevertheless some tourists do fall victim to thuggery and crime which is, unfortunately, prevalent in our cities and towns.
Will the Minister consider locating this service in close proximity to a Garda station and does he intend to give it extra financial support in light of its excellent work?
The Deputy understands the valuable work done by this group. Of course, it would be nice if it could be housed in a specific and individual building.
There are plenty of rooms in the Bord Fáilte offices.
The work done by the support group is important. It assisted 313 visitors in 1994 and 443 visitors in 1995. In regard to funding, £5,000 was given by my Department in 1994, £10,000 in 1995 and a further £10,000 this year.
That is very little.
The other main contributors, Aer Rianta and Dublin Corporation, gave £5,000 each, and the Department of Justice, which provides the premises.
For nothing?
That Department also funds the victim support organisation with an annual grant in excess of £100,000. On expanding the service, I referred to the training days taking place this year and consideration will certainly be given to that, depending on its take up. It has been decided that the service could be extended to areas already served by the Victim Support organisation and would only involve training costs, which would amount to little in 1996. We will look at the various issues that arise as the situation develops.
