Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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475. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has given consideration to the provision of funding for the trial roll-out of dual public light post e-car charge points in a number of management company operated residential estates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46674/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Home charging is the primary method of charging for the majority of electric vehicles both internationally and in Ireland. Charging at home at night is the most cost-effective and eco-friendly way to charge an electric vehicle. Given the high proportion of homes with driveways and dedicated parking spaces, Ireland has greater capacity for home charging than many other countries. From January of this year, the Government has made funding available for a grant of up to €600 to support the installation of home charging points; the grant is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. This is available to the purchasers of new and second-hand electric vehicles.

Some local authorities have already taken the initiative to provide on street charging infrastructure, and to accelerate this, my Department, in conjunction with the SEAI, is working on how best to support the provision of greater levels of on-street public charging for owners of electric vehicles who rely on on-street parking near their homes.

The Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce Progress Report, which is available on my Department’s website, acknowledges the provision of charging to electric vehicle owners living in apartment blocks or similar residential areas is challenging. This issue will form part of the Working Group 3 work programme of the Taskforce which includes consideration of planning legislation and building regulations. The output of this work will determine how best to support the installation of charging in private residential areas where homes do not have dedicated parking adjacent to their dwelling.