Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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535. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will roll out further charging points for electric cars nationwide. [42362/18]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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546. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of charging stations for electric cars (details supplied) in County Kerry; his plans to ensure more points will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42001/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 546 together.

The majority of the existing network of publicly accessible charge points was rolled out by the ESB through its eCars programme. This network includes circa 80 fast chargers, mainly on national routes. A map showing the charge points, including the status and availability of the charge points, is available on the ESB's website at www.esb.ie/ecars.

The maintenance and repair of these charge points is an operational matter for the ESB. In relation to the out-of-service charge point in Killarney, the ESB has informed my Department that the manufacturer is due to come to Ireland in the coming weeks to visit the charge point. At this point it is expected that the issue will be resolved. I am also informed that the fast charge point in Tralee is located at a car dealership and not operated by the ESB.

The provision of charging infrastructure is a necessity for the uptake of electric vehicles. In this regard, last month's publication by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities of their approval of ESB Networks' proposal on the future operation and maintenance of the charging network is a welcome development. This ensures the continued operation and maintenance of the public charging network by the ESB and provides the certainty electric vehicle users need when purchasing an electric vehicle.

I understand that the ESB has commenced work to resolve the maintenance issues with the public charging network. This includes upgrades and, in the case of those with the highest reliability issues, replacement of public chargers. I am informed that it has replaced 15 standard chargers, constituting 30 charge points as well upgrading seven older fast chargers with newer chargers that can accommodate all three charging types that are in active use in Ireland. The ESB advises me that the uptime of the fleet of fast chargers is in excess of 98% which is very high by international standards.

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 focus on an expanded range of supports for the provision of effective and efficient electric vehicle charging.

In this regard, my Department, in conjunction with the SEAI, is working on how best to support the provision of greater levels of on-street public charging.

It is also important to note the role of the Climate Action Fund. The first Call for Applications, which was launched in July, includes provision for supporting electric vehicle charging networks along with a range of other project types. The deadline for applications has now passed and I can confirm that 97 applications have been received. An assessment process of these applications is currently underway.