Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 May 2018
193. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the €17 million allocated to supporting the transition to a low carbon economy as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the allocation that has been spent; the way in which the moneys were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24221/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2018 €16.6m was allocated to support the transition to a low carbon economy via two measures, the rollout of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat and supports to incentivise the uptake of electric vehicles. This spending has been allocated to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland who will deliver these measures. An allocation of €6.8m was made to the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat of which €0.288m has been drawn down to date. The spend to date relates to preparing the administrative and organisational framework required to operate the scheme. The scheme is expected to become operational in the second half of the year at which point support payments to eligible projects under the scheme will commence.
An allocation of funding of €9.8 million was made to support the increased deployment of electric vehicles of which €3.294m has been drawn down to date. These supports include the funding of the electric vehicle purchase grant, the electric vehicle home charger grant, supports for public charging, and a new the Electric Vehicle Public Awareness Programme.
So far this year, the electric vehicle purchase grant has supported the purchase of 711 new electric vehicles drawing down €3.075m.
The electric vehicle home charger grant scheme commenced in January of this year to support the installation of home charge points for buyers of new and second-hand electric vehicles for which, to date, €0.141m has been drawn down.
The Low Emissions Taskforce, co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, is examining options in relation to potential support measures for public charging for which, to date, €0.025m has been drawn down.
In April 2018, the SEAI launched the first phase of the Electric Vehicle Public Awareness programme which will raise the profile and understanding of electric vehicles. This campaign includes a website (www.DrivingElectric.ie ) providing information on buying and driving an EV including the models available and links to dealers to arrange a test drive. There will also be an advertising campaign - “The Face of Driving Electric” - which will highlight how electric vehicles are compatible with virtually everyone’s daily lives. Public road shows and fleet trials will be rolled out later in the year providing more people the opportunity to trial electric vehicles. Work is on-going in this area and to date €0.053m has been drawn down.
