493. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of e-scooters, e-bikes and scramblers seized by an Garda Síochána in the Kildare, Wicklow and Meath/ Louth divisions in 2025 and to date in 2026; if he will provide a breakdown by vehicle type and numbers seized; the number of same returned to owners. [52708/26]

On 1 April, the Road Traffic (Control of Certain Vehicles) Regulations 2026, known as Grace's Law, were signed into law by the Minister for Transport. These regulations prohibit the use of an off-road motorcycle, such as a scrambler or a quadbike, in any place, except on private land. They impose a requirement of consent where restricted vehicles are used on private land and will make enforcement easier.

The seriousness with which the Government views this issue is reflected in the fact the mere use of scramblers is now explicitly an offence, assisting An Garda Síochána operationally by ensuring that members no longer have to form a reasonable belief about dangerous use of the vehicle.

Please be advised that data on the number of seizures under 'Graces Law' cannot be provided by An Garda Síochána at this point as a quarterly validation of incidents must first be completed.

Gardaí also have additional, and significant, legislative powers to combat the antisocial and dangerous misuse of scramblers, quad bikes, e-scooters and other such vehicles including under the Road Traffic Act 1961, the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, and the Criminal Law Act 1997 and the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023.

I am assured that An Garda Síochána continues to adopt a proactive approach in addressing the illegal use of scramblers, and have been informed of a substantial increase in the seizure of these types of vehicles during the first quarter of 2026 when measured against the full year 2025.

The table below sets out the number of seizures of e-scooters, e-bikes and scramblers nationally in  2025 and to date in 2026. Data is not available at a Divisional level. Similarly data related to the number of vehicles returned to owners is not currently available.