Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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79. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on a proposal for an electric bus in Killarney, County Kerry (details supplied); if there is a grant available to get the bus up and running; and the steps that can be taken to progress the matter. [51434/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of the Irish Government. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050. Decarbonisation of heavy-duty vehicles will be key to achieving this objective in the transport sector.

To promote the decarbonisation of the  heavy-duty sector, my Department launched a new Alternatively-Fuelled Heavy-Duty Vehicle (AFHDV) Purchase Grant Scheme on 15 March 2021.The Scheme, which is administered by TII, is intended to help bridge some of the difference in purchase price between conventional heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) and those powered by alternatively-fuelled power-trains. To accord with EU State Aid rules, grant levels under the Scheme are calculated as a percentage of the difference in price between a conventionally-fuelled diesel HDV and its alternatively-fuelled equivalent. Maximum grant levels for eligible vehicles depend on the size of the enterprise applying for the grant.

€2m was allocated to this scheme in 2021 and given the excellent response to the initiative, my Department allocated an additional €1m in funds this year to assist the heavy-duty vehicle sector in its transition to zero-mobility. Funds for 2021 have now been fully allocated however the scheme will continue in 2022 with further funding available. Details on how to apply for funding in January 2022 will be available shortly.