641. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the Government's proposal to introduce a registration system for e-scooters; whether it remains the intention that all e-scooters used in public places will be required to be registered to an identifiable owner; and the proposed timeline for the introduction and commencement of such a system. [64073/26]

Given the concerning rise in injuries and deaths due to the misuse of e-scooters, in July Government decided to introduce new regulations to protect e-scooter riders and other road users. These include the increase of the minimum age for e-scooter users to 18, making helmet wearing and high visibility clothing mandatory, to increase the Fixed Charge Notice penalties for e-scooter offences to €100 and to double the fees for the release of detained e-scooters.

The requirement for wearing helmet wearing and high visibility clothing came into effect on Friday 4 September. Other measures will follow in the coming weeks.

Government also decided that changing the status of e-scooters to mechanically propelled vehicles would be progressed and the administrative arrangements be explored for doing this, with a final decision to be made after consideration of these and the report of the Department of Health on the implications of e-scooter use for public health.