The Minister should set up a swap scheme, so families can surrender e-scooters and replace them with pedal bikes
The e-scooter free-for-all is resulting in a huge increase in children receiving devastating brain injuries and must be addressed now by this government, according to Social Democrats transport spokesperson Aidan Farrelly.
Deputy Farrelly said:
“A new CHI report has revealed a 50 percent annual increase in the number of children and young people being admitted to hospital with traumatic brain injuries because of e-scooter accidents.
“Up to May 2026, 18 children were admitted to Temple Street with brain injuries from these accidents. Alarming, a further seven children have been admitted since May of this year.
“This is a public health crisis and it cannot be allowed to continue while the government dithers and delays.
“A ban on children under 16 using e-scooters has clearly been a monumental failure, not least because Gardaí were never given the resources or training to implement it.
“Instead of implementing a ban, which would unfairly punish the many adults who use e-scooters responsibly, it is now time for the government to move ahead with regulation that will actually work.
“The Minister should introduce a mandatory registration scheme for e-scooters, which would ensure all users and vehicles are registered through the National Vehicle Driver File. Failure to comply with this, could lead to the seizure of e-scooters.
“The sale or supply of e-scooters to children under 16 should also be a criminal offence. In Ireland, it is illegal to sell or supply alcohol to minors. There is no reason we cannot enact a similar law with regard to the sale or supply of e-scooters.
“We also need innovative ways of incentivising the surrender of e-scooters currently used by children. The Minister should set up a swap scheme, so families can surrender e-scooters and replace them with pedal bikes if they wish.
“Finally, and critically, this government cannot simply pass new laws and expect that to be sufficient. A law is just text on a piece of paper unless Gardaí have the resources and training to enforce it.
“As a matter of urgency, Gardaí must be provided with the resources, training and dedicated unit they need to do their jobs. Enacting new laws or regulations, without that critical foundation, just sets us up for failure.
“My thoughts are with those who have lost their lives or have sustained life-changing and serious injuries due to e-scooters. It is beyond time for this government to act.”