89. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have presented to accident and emergency departments with injuries arising from incidents involving e-scooters, whether as riders or pedestrians; and whether these incidents occurred on public roads, footpaths, or other locations, where such data is available. [52614/26]

Sentiment score: -0.22

There has been a big increase in the numbers of deaths and serious injuries caused by the use and misuse of e-scooters. E-scooters are now the biggest cause of traumatic brain injuries among children. Children are being killed and gardaí working in the area have been injured. CHI has reported that six children have been admitted to intensive care in Temple Street with traumatic brain injuries, following accidents involving e-scooters in just two weeks. What steps is the Government taking to prevent these injuries and then to ensure the necessary resources are there to treat those injuries?

Sentiment score: -0.16

I appreciate that it is the job of the accident and emergency departments to treat patients, but I also believe that you cannot manage if you cannot measure. The collection of data on public health issues is a key element to track the development of a public health crisis through society. I also understand that some of the issues around this are not necessarily under the Minister's Department's direct responsibility, but we do have a crisis in this country. I myself have seen children as young as ten or 11 whizzing around in gangs, oblivious to the directions of the roads and roundabouts, flying on paths in public parks. These vehicles are being misused around the country and it is leading to a public health crisis. Parents need to take responsibility. There is a massive lack of responsibility being taken by parents of pre-teen children. There should be fines involved in this, and gardaí need the ability to pursue scramblers and scooters to make sure they can actually bring them to a halt.

Sentiment score: -0.23

I agree that it is important to focus on the outcomes of these tragic and serious accidents and the fact that many of these injuries are brought to the grave and are lifelong injuries that completely negatively impact the development of these children through their lives. It is time we looked at the registration of these vehicles. These are powered vehicles that can travel at speed. They should be registered in the same way motorbikes are registered. Nobody would think a person should be able to get on a motorbike without training, without being able to use the vehicle, without being at the right age and without registration and insurance. We know that prevention is better than cure. If we can prevent young kids getting onto these vehicles and driving them in a manner that is so dangerous, we can make sure that people can live positive, full lives and that the pressure does not come on the health service. If the Minister could use her influence at Cabinet to look for the registration of these vehicles, that would make a significant difference.

Sentiment score: -0.00