Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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123. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will address a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in County Cork in relation to climate action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23069/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The correspondence supplied was received in my office on 8 May 2019 and a detailed response was issued on 23 May 2019.

Providing adequate charging infrastructure is critical to ensure continued growth in electric vehicles. Home charging is the most cost-effective way to charge an electric vehicle and is the primary method of charging for the majority of electric vehicles both internationally and in Ireland. A Government grant of up to €600 is available, via the SEAI, to the purchasers of new and second-hand electric vehicles to support the installation of home chargers.

There are currently over 650 standard public charge points and 78 fast chargers as a part of the ESB eCars network. A map showing these charge points, including their status and availability, is available on the ESB's website at www.esb.ie/ecars. In addition there are public chargers provided by local authorities, retail outlets and private companies.

Under the first call for applications from the Climate Action Fund, I approved funding of up to €10 million to support ESB eCars to develop a nationwide, state-of-the-art electric vehicle fast charging network. The project includes the installation of 90 high-power chargers, upgrading 50 existing standard chargers to fast chargers and replacing over 250 existing standard chargers with next generation high reliability models.

My Department, in conjunction with the SEAI, is also working on how best to support the provision of greater levels of on-street public charging.