Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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470. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when fast charge points for electric vehicles will be installed in Cavan town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31533/18]

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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479. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to outline his plans to increase the number of ecar charging points; the progress of efforts to increase numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31594/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 470 and 479 together.

The National Policy Framework: Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland 2017 to 2030 sets out the need for electric vehicle charging in Ireland. Although the existing capacity of the public charging network is considered adequate, development of infrastructure to meet the growing demand is necessary.

The majority of the existing network of publicly accessible charge points was rolled out by the ESB through its eCars programme. This network includes over 70 fast chargers, mainly on national routes.

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, involves examining how best to support the development of the public charging network. The first phase of the Taskforce's work, which focuses on electric vehicles, is nearing completion and will lead to an expanded range of supports for the provision of effective and efficient electric vehicle charging.

In this regard, this week I announced the first Call for Applications for the Climate Action Fund which is one of the four funds established under the National Development Plan 2018-2027 as part of Project Ireland 2040. The Climate Action Fund will provide at least €500 million to support initiatives that contribute to the achievement of Ireland's climate and energy targets over the next decade. The first Call for Applications focuses on funding larger scale projects that are scheduled to commence development in 2019 or 2020. Local infrastructure projects including the provision of electric vehicle charging networks will be eligible to apply. Further information can be found on my Department’s website.

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, supports community based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of homes, businesses and community facilities in a local area.

Although I cannot provide a timeline for the provision of a fast charger in Cavan town at this point, I expect the supports that are in place, and further proposals that I intend to bring forward later this year, will increase the availability of publically accessible electric vehicle charging.