324. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with the NTA with a view to pausing projects that involve public funding for e-scooter infrastructure, given the shift in national policy on e-scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59899/26]

325. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of a project (details supplied); if he will request the NTA to pause the project given the national policy change in relation to e-scooters, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59910/26]

326. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport the public funding allocated for each of the years from 2022 to 2025 and to date in 2026 for the provision of e-scooter infrastructure, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter [59889/26]

511. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of a project (details supplied); if he will request to pause the use of public funding on the project given the national policy change in relation to e-scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59925/26]

512. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with local authorities with a view to pausing projects that involve public funding for e-scooter infrastructure, given the shift in national policy on e-scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59912/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 324, 325, 326, 511 and 512 together.

The Government remains fully committed to supporting shared mobility as part of its wider objective of providing sustainable transport options for communities across Ireland. Shared mobility services, including shared bicycles and other micromobility options, can play an important role in improving first-mile and last-mile connections to public transport, reducing car dependency and supporting climate action goals.

This commitment is reflected in the National Policy Statement on Shared Mobility and the Provision of Mobility Hubs, published in June 2025, and in the actions contained within the National Sustainable Mobility Policy Action Plan. Mobility hubs are intended to support a range of sustainable transport modes and services, including public transport, active travel and shared mobility options, and are not solely focused on any single transport mode.

At the same time, the Government has recently introduced a strengthened regulatory framework for e-scooters in response to emerging road safety concerns. These new regulations will introduce a range of measures, including an increase in the minimum age for e-scooter users, mandatory helmet and high-visibility clothing requirements, increased penalties for offences, and further measures relating to registration and licensing. These changes are being introduced with the objective of improving safety for all road users.

With regard to the Mobility Hubs Pilot Programme, including the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Mobility Hubs Part 8 proposal referenced by the Deputy, I am aware that the programme is currently at Detailed Business Case stage. The National Transport Authority submitted the Detailed Business Case to the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment in April 2026.

In light of the recently announced changes to the regulatory framework for e-scooters, the Mobility Hubs Pilot Programme is currently being re-evaluated by the relevant stakeholders to ensure continued alignment with Government policy objectives and road safety priorities. In addition, e-scooters have been removed from the tender for the forthcoming Regional Shared Micromobility Scheme, which is being progressed by the National Transport Authority.

Given that this review process is ongoing, there are currently no plans to direct the National Transport Authority or local authorities to pause the Mobility Hub Pilot Project. Any decisions regarding the future of this pilot will be informed by the outcome of this assessment.

In relation to funding for e-scooter infrastructure, no specific public funding has been provided by my Department for dedicated e-scooter infrastructure to date. E-scooters are permitted to operate on existing cycling infrastructure and therefore do not require bespoke on-road infrastructure. As a result, there has been no separate allocation of funding for e-scooter infrastructure by local authority between 2022 and 2026.