Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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664. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of crimes reported to gardaí against overseas visitors and tourists, by county and offence, in each of the years 2017 to 2021, in tabular form; if each crime was solved or unsolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23389/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business. This includes all operational policing decisions and I have no role in these independent functions.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised that the requested information can be provided in the years specified by incidents recorded on PULSE by Garda region and by offence category where the record indicated that the ‘Injured Party’ of the incident was a tourist. A tourist is defined as a person visiting for pleasure from outside the jurisdiction. All data provided by the Garda authorities was collated on 6 May 2022, and the figures are operational and may be liable to change.

Incidents reported by Garda Region:

Incidents reported by offence category:

The table below shows the number of incidents as reported above that have been ‘detected’. The main criteria for classifying an offence as ‘detected’ is when criminal proceedings have been commenced for at least one person for the offence. However, I have been informed that there are a number of scenarios where an offence will be considered detected even though criminal proceedings may not be initiated.

I welcome An Garda Síochána’s plans to increase their high visibility policing service in Dublin City Centre with the proposal to provide services to the public at 13A Upper O'Connell Street, including the relocation of the Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS) from Pearse Street Garda Station and DMR HQ, Harcourt Square, Dublin 2.

If the Deputy is not already aware, the ITAS provides immediate support and assistance, 7 days a week, to visitors to the country who become victims of crime or experience other traumatic events. The service is free and confidential and I would encourage any tourist who is a victim of crime to avail of their service.