Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 December 2018
182. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if e-car charge points will be installed at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52569/18]
View answerThe majority of the existing network of publicly accessible charge points was rolled out by the ESB through its eCars programme. An interactive map showing the locations of charging points throughout Ireland is available at https://www.esb.ie/our-businesses/ecars/charge-point-map.
Currently, there are public chargers available at 15 locations in Co. Kerry. A key aspect of the work of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce, co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, involved examining how best to support the development of the electric vehicle charging. The first phase of the Taskforce's work, which focused on electric vehicles, is now complete and the progress report is available on my Department’s website. Arising out of the work of the Taskforce, a grant of up to €600 was introduced to support the installation of electric vehicle home chargers. Charging at home is the primary method of charging for the majority of electric vehicles both internationally and in Ireland. In addition, my Department, in conjunction with the SEAI, is also working on how best to support the provision of greater levels of on-street public charging. Funding for public charging in local communities can also be accessed through the Better Energy Communities Scheme. The scheme, which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), supports community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of homes, businesses and community facilities in a local area. I announced the successful projects under the first Call for Applications Assessment Stage under the Climate Action Fund on 28 November. I am delighted to have approved funding of up to €10 million to a project from ESB eCars that will develop a nationwide, state-of-the-art electric vehicle charging network capable of facilitating large-scale electric vehicle uptake over the next decade. Further details on this project, and the other projects approved from the fund, are available on my Department's website at www.dccae.gov.ie.
