Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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32. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on a number of pilot programmes in several EU countries that replaced standard streetlights with ones that included an electric vehicle charging point; and if a similar pilot programme could be considered here. [38961/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Climate Action Plan, published in June 2019, sets out a range of actions to support the delivery of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs). These actions, which are further underpinned by the Programme for Government, include developing the electric vehicle charging network necessary to support the growth of EVs and to ensure the supply of infrastructure stays sufficiently ahead of demand. The development of a strategy to meet these objectives is currently underway.

While charging at home accounts for around 80% of electric vehicle charging in Ireland, my Department is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) public charging network over the coming years. In this regard my Department will continue to provide support for EV charging infrastructure through the SEAI Public Charge Point Scheme. This scheme provides 75% of the capital costs up to a maximum of €5,000 per charge point to local authorities for the development of on-street public chargers. In addition, my Department is allocating €2m in 2021 to support a new SEAI scheme for the development of "destination chargers" at locations such as hotels and shopping centres which will provide a significant contribution to the overall public charging network.

I am aware that some local authorities have already looked to innovative options to lead the way in dual usage municipal infrastructure and have installed lamp post chargers. Examples include those installed on Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and in Swords by Fingal County Council. My Department will continue to work closely with Local Authorities on how best to expand the network of public charge points at both local and regional level and in doing so will explore all options available to local government in securing additional EV charging infrastructure through the supports currently provided through the SEAI.