Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021
532. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the number of e-scooters that were stolen by county in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48124/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the recording of crimes reported to An Garda Síochána. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters.
The Deputy will also appreciate that matters relating to legislative and regulatory classification of e-scooters, and other modes of mechanical transport, are under the remit of the Minister for Transport.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that scooters can be recorded on the Garda PULSE system as both vehicles and objects, and that a restriction of the query to vehicle records where the specific type of scooter is recorded would result in a significant under-reporting of figures.
I am also informed by the Garda authorities that a manual review of Garda records would be required to determine the number of e-scooters reported as stolen. I am further advised that a significant and disproportionate amount of Garda resources would be required to fulfil the Deputy’s request for data regarding nearly seven years, and that, in light of the complexities outlined above, An Garda Síochána is not in a position to provide the information sought by the Deputy.
