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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 5

Written Answers. - Crime Levels.

Joan Burton

Question:

100 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the information he has to hand on the number of crimes committed against tourists; if he is satisfied that tourists get sufficient security information to equip them for their visit; if he will increase the financial support his Department provides to the Tourism Victim Support Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19086/02]

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.

The TVSS receives an annual grant from Bord Fáilte, not from my Department. This year, I am pleased to report Bord Fáilte increased its annual subvention to the TVSS to more than €25,000, an increase of over 30% on the sum provided last year. I urge the tourism business sector and wider commercial interests that benefit from overseas visitors to increase the level of their support for the TVSS.
That the impact of a crime is exacerbated when the victim is a tourist and away from his home country makes the work of the Tourist Victim Support Service especially worthwhile.
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