Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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318. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of electric vehicle charging points that are available for use by staff across all carparks provided for use by his Department throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7377/22]

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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321. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of electric vehicle chargers installed at each property owned or controlled by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7407/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 321 together.

The Department of Defence is currently investigating options available to it regarding Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points in all of its buildings, including the number of EV charging spaces it may require and the need for installing extra cabling to allow for future demand. At present the Department has no EV charging points available for use by staff in any of its carparks in Newbridge, Renmore or Roscrea.

Future actions by the Department of Defence in this area will be guided by Government policy regarding EVs and other Low Emissions Vehicles (LEVs) as set out in the National Planning Framework and the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP).

While the Department is investigating future options for EV charging points at its premises, as referenced in National Development Plan under Transport, home charging is considered the primary method of charging for the majority of EVs in Ireland and is considered the least expensive form of charging, especially when utilising a night rate. The Department understands that it accounts for around 80% of EV charging sessions and will continue to be the primary method for charging personal EV’s in the future.