Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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25. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce additional incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7722/14]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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In April 2011, I opened the Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme to incentivise and support, through grants of up to €5,000, the early deployment of electric vehicles in Ireland. These grants are in addition to the VRT reliefs of up to €5,000 which apply to electric vehicles. This support scheme will remain open for this year and I have no plans, at this stage, to introduce any new financial incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles. Additionally, the ESB, through its ecars programme, is continuing to roll out both publicly accessible charging infrastructure and domestic charge points. My Department understands that the ESB intends to have in place this year at least 1,000 publicly accessible charge points in all main towns and cities, as well as 60 fast chargers on major roads.