Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)

I agree that the time it takes to put these things in place is not what we would like. The EU JTF EV charging scheme provides funding to support EV infrastructure at community facilities in the just transition area in the midlands. These include community centres, public libraries, public health centres, recreational facilities and enterprise centres in counties Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath and Roscommon and the municipal districts of Ballinasloe, Athy, Clane-Maynooth, Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles. Ninety-three facilities have met the initial eligibility criteria. All site assessments have now been completed and the process to confirm their viability is now under way. In addition, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, ZEVI, has developed a local authority EV charging infrastructure pilot scheme. This scheme has approximately 26 pilot projects across 15 local authorities. I will open the first of these on 27 June in Galway city. This co-ordinated pilot programme focuses on EV charging for multiple users’ needs predominantly at destination, neighbourhood and tourist locations. The Department is also funding dedicated EV charging infrastructure officers in each local authority to co-ordinate the roll-out of the infrastructure.

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