Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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65. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures being taken to address the issue of dangerous misuse of scrambler bikes and if there has been any data collated to indicate whether such measures are having an effect. [7728/23]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour, which I chair, is a commitment in the Programme for Government. I established a subgroup of the Forum in 2021 to examine measures which can be taken with regard to the misuse of vehicles such as scramblers and quad bikes in communities. An Garda Síochána is represented on the Forum at senior level and has taken part in the discussions around approaches to tackling the issue of misuse of scramblers and quad bikes.

The Anti-Social Behaviour Forum delivered a community-based proposal to tackling the misuse of scramblers and other vehicles. This scheme is based on the model developed by the Moyross Youth Diversion Project (YDP) and, again, is a means of intervention and diversion of young people from this type of anti-social activity, rather than enforcement.

My Department opened applications to all YDPs for funding for these initiatives. Almost €200,000 in funding has been granted to eight projects, some of which are joint ventures between more than one YDP. I can inform the Deputy that a total of 10 YDPs applied for funding, including 9 in Dublin.  Additional support was also provided for the Moyross Project. As this is a relatively recent funding stream, it is too early to be able to provide data on how effective it has been yet. 

Youth Diversion Projects run by community-based organisations are a vital support to the statutory Garda Youth Diversion Programme. Additional funding has been secured to expand the YDP network of 106 Projects nationally, and I invited expressions of interest in principle for the establishment of four new YDPs last November. This will meet a key objective of the Youth Justice Strategy to ensure that the YDP service is available to every child or young person who requires it across the State. 

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes all operational policing matters and it is important to note that road traffic enforcement remains a core policing function of An Garda Síochána. The Garda National Roads Policing Bureau ensures a consistent approach to road safety and enforcement of road traffic legislation across the country.

Road traffic legislation is also enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of all members of An Garda Síochána, in addition to the employment of specific enforcement operations. 

I am advised that Gardaí seized 28 quad bikes and 93 scramblers in 2022. I am further informed by Gardaí that 56 quad bikes and 111 scramblers were seized in 2021. Vehicles seized or detained include, but are not exclusively, those seized or detained under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act.

I would urge members of the public to report any incidents of dangerous driving directly to An Garda Síochána.