Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt we need to expand the number of public chargers. There are currently approximately 700 and I have made commitments not only to upgrade them but to increase the number to 1,800 through both the local authorities and the ESB, and we have made financial provision for that.

The issue the Deputy raises about financial support for new batteries certainly has not been considered. We have committed to examine a scrappage scheme. There are generous supports for the purchase of an electric vehicle and these include a grant of €5,000, a VRT reduction of €5,000, a home charger subsidy and a discount on tolls. We are seeing a growing adoption of these and it is important we continue. I will look at that but I cannot hold out hope that we will support grants for second-hand batteries.

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