Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2026
143. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of e-scooters that have been confiscated for non-compliance of the Road Traffic (Electric Scooters) Regulations, for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026 to date; by county/Garda division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35557/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur road safety strategy takes a whole of government approach and is a shared responsibility. Development and implementation of road traffic legislation and policy falls within the remit of my colleague Darragh O'Brien TD, the Minister for Transport, and the vital role of enforcing road traffic laws is carried out by An Garda Síochána.
Gardaí have significant legislative powers to combat the antisocial and dangerous misuse of e-scooters, e-bikes and scramblers and other such vehicles and I am assured that An Garda Síochána continues to adopt a proactive approach in addressing this issue.
Road traffic legislation provides for the detention, removal, storage and subsequent release or disposal of electric scooters by an Garda Síochána.
I am informed by Garda authorities that based on reported PULSE incidents of ‘Vehicle Detained’ and ‘Property Seized’ the following table describes the number of incidents in which e-scooters were seized or detained nationally in 2024 and 2025.
|
- |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Incidents where e-scooters were seized or detained |
326 |
817 |
These figures are based on incidents which occurred from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025, inclusive. Figures for ‘seized or detained’ above are for those vehicles seized or detained under the incident types of ‘Vehicle Detained’, ‘Vehicle Detained Under Sec 41’ and ‘Property Seized'.
The information includes incidents where more than one vehicle was detained or seized. All information above is based upon operational data from the Fixed Charge Processing System and PUSLE system and is liable to change.
I am advised by Garda authorities that an exercise is currently being undertaken to review data on vehicles seized and detained in 2026 and that An Garda Síochána will update my Department when the exercise is complete.
