The Department of Health has written to the HSE seeking a public health report on e-scooter injuries in response to a surge in serious injuries to children and teens linked to the vehicles.
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill confirmed the situation during a Dáil health debate, saying there is a need to take further measures to address the ongoing problem, reports RTE.
Responding to a question from Aontú leader Peadar TóibÃn, who said there is serious concern over the use of e-scooters — as Temple Street children’s hospital confirmed six children were in intensive care over a single two-week period last month — Ms Carroll MacNeill agreed that action is needed.
She said her department’s deputy chief medical officer, Professor Ellen Crushell, who is a consultant paediatrician at Temple Street, has “formally written” to the HSE’s national director of public health, Dr John Cuddihy, to “seek an initial public health report on e-scooter injuries,” reports RTE.
“That report is intended to examine the scale of the issue,” Ms Carroll MacNeill said, adding she wants health, transport and road policy to align on addressing the situation and that if young people saw “the impact of an acquired brain injury” they would realise “it can be devastating, such a tragedy, such a catastrophe.”
Mr TóibÃn asked Ms Carroll MacNeill what steps the Government is taking to reduce the e-scooter risk and what resources are being put in place, reports RTE.
He described the existing situation as “a crisis in this country” and said he had “seen gangs of 10 or 11-year-old children whizzing around.”
Mr TóibÃn said “these vehicles are being misused” and called for further measures to be considered, including the potential introduction of fines for parents who are allowing their underage children to use the vehicles, reports RTE.
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