Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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62. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider further the potential introduction of a scrappage scheme aimed at promoting the use of e-bikes in order to encourage commuters to use this mode of transport instead of private petrol and diesel motor cars, similar to a scheme introduced in France; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47019/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Department is continuously exploring ways to encourage the uptake of cycling as a mode of transport. The popularity of e-bikes is growing and they serve to encourage an even wider demographic of potential cyclists to choose an active mode of transport over the private car.

I was pleased to see the thresholds for the Cycle to Work scheme increased by the Minister for Finance in Budget 2021 to include e-bikes and, in Budget 2022, cargo bikes; however it is noted that this scheme is not open to those who are not engaged in work. Initiatives such as a scrappage scheme similar to that introduced in France have merit, but must be assessed in order to achieve maximum impact and value for money.

The Department will continue to undertake research into the best possible interventions, including scrappage schemes, which could be introduced to encourage modal shift away from private car and encourage an uptake in e-bike usage across all demographics.