David Andrews
Ceist:23 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Justice the number of tourists who have been attacked while on holiday in Ireland in 1995; and the locations of these attacks. [10717/95]
Written Answers. - Attacks on Tourists.
Tony Killeen
Ceist:107 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Justice the number of tourists who have been attacked while on holiday in Ireland in 1995; and the locations of these attacks. [10863/95]
I propose to take Question Nos. 23 and 107 together. The information sought by the Deputies is not readily available for 1995. However, the provisional figures for 1994 show that there were 3,120 crimes recorded in which tourists were the injured parties. Of these, 2,548 crimes were reported in the Dublin Metropolitan Area, DMA, and 572 were reported outside the DMA. Of the crimes committed in the DMA, I understand a victim support survey found that the major locations of crimes committed against tourists are O'Connell Street, Christchurch, Wicklow, Grafton Street/St. Stephen's Green and St. James' Gate, the Guinness Brewery. I am informed that larcenies from unattended motor vehicles is the most common crime experienced by tourists. The number of tourists for 1994 is estimated at 3.68 million in the Republic. Even if each crime corresponded to one tourist, this means that only 0.08 per cent of tourists were victims of crime. In other words, 99.92 per cent of tourists who visited this country did not experience crime.
The issue of crime against tourists is one which receives the highest priority from my Department and the Garda authorities. Close co-operation is maintained with Bord Fáilte to ensure that crimes of this nature are minimised to the greatest possible extent.
The measures taken by the Garda to deal with this problem include the deployment of additional Garda patrols, both uniformed and plainclothes, in areas of high tourist interest. In this regard, it is noticeable that a limited number of locations feature in many instances of crime against tourists. For this reason, the Garda are targeting these areas to ensure the safety of tourists. Other measures include the provision and distribution of an information leaflet by the Garda which is written in three different European languages and gives advice to tourists on how to protect their property and personal belongings. These leaflets are also available at all sea ports and airports. This is a simple crime prevention device which has proved to be of very practical value.
Another significant measure designed to help in tackling the problem is the provision of the Garda Office which opened in March 1990 in O'Connell Street, Dublin. This serves as a central location for advising tourists on preventive measures which they can take to safeguard themselves and their belongings. It also maintains a permanent Garda presence in the area.
An initiative deserving of special notice is the launch by the Garda Community Relations Unit of a street map for tourists in Dublin, listing places of historical and current interest and also including crime prevention advice. Supervised car parks are depicted on the maps. I understand it is intended to extend this project to other areas frequented by tourists. In addition, the Garda have carried out security surveys of all youth hostel accommodation. Advice has been given on securing entry and exit points to these buildings and providing facilities to allow tourists to store luggage securely.
As regards measures to help those tourists unfortunate enough to end up as victims of crime, an initiative in this area is the establishment of the Dublin Tourist Victim Support Service which was launched on 14 April, 1994 and which is being operated by the Irish Association for Victim Support, IAVS. This new concept is modelled on the existing Amsterdam Tourist Assistance Service and provides tourists who have been the victims of crime with a practical support service in order to assist them in overcoming the initial trauma of their experiences.
The Garda Síochána has been involved in the setting up of this service and has provided premises for its operation at the Garda Dublin Metropolitan Area Headquarters at Harcourt Square. A grant is provided by the Minister for Tourism and Trade. A co-ordinator with a victim support background has been appointed to head the team of volunteers who possess a wide range of foreign languages.
All volunteers have received extensive training to allow them to deal effectively with tourists who become victims of crime while on holiday in Ireland. I know that this service will prove to be of immense benefit to any visitors to this country who may suffer the misfortune of becoming victims of criminal activity.