Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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36. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider introducing a grant to purchase electric vehicles for persons with disabilities for whom public transport is an unreliable option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11050/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government is fully committed to supporting the roll out of EVs so as to ensure the ambitious commitments as set out in the Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan are met. In this regard, this year has seen continued support to further enable the roll out of Electric Vehicles and related charging infrastructure.  

As the Deputy will be aware, a comprehensive suite of measures is available to assist individuals, including those with disabilities, who wish to drive an EV, including purchase grants for private car owners and taxi drivers, VRT relief, reduced tolls, home charger grants, favourable motor and BIK tax rates, as well as a comprehensive charging network. These measures have collectively contributed to increased take up of EVs in Ireland in recent years, albeit from a low base, to over 50,500 now.

In addition, the Department convened the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway (EVPP) Working Group to produce a roadmap to achieving the 2030 EV target. The recommendations of the EVPP Working Group were approved by Government and the full report is available online. In line with the Group’s recommendations to support the transition to EVs:  

- The generous suite of EV supports already in place in Ireland has been retained until at least end-2022. Work is ongoing to identify additional measures to further incentivise EVs and/or disincentivise fossil fuelled vehicles. Overall, cost-effective, targeted policy supports will continue to be developed and strengthened over the coming years; and   

- Work is underway to establish An Office for Low Emission Vehicles, as a matter of priority, to co-ordinate the implementation of existing and future EV measures and infrastructure.  

Overall, the Department is acutely aware that the cost of electric vehicles remains an issue for many consumers. To this end, electric vehicle policy is kept under continuous review to endeavour to make low emission vehicles affordable.