Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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153. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of electric vehicle fast charging points there are in County Tipperary; and the location of each. [28103/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. A national charging infrastructure strategy was published for consultation at the end of this March which sets out a pathway to stay ahead of demand over the critical period out to 2025.

Preparations are also underway to establish Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland. This Office will play an important role in our transition to zero emission vehicles. It will co-ordinate measures to support the uptake of EVs and the rollout of charge point infrastructure.

Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well assists in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home. This means that the majority of EV users will never need to access the public network except for longer journeys.

A grant is available from the SEAI for those individuals seeking to install a home charger. Work is currently being progressed to expand the EV home charger grant to include shared parking in apartment blocks and similar developments. My Department is working closely with the SEAI and expects a scheme for apartments to open shortly.

There is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible such as non-residential neighbourhood charging, destination charging, and motorway charging. 

There are 25 public charging points on the ESB eCars network in Co. Tipperary presently, not including private home charging points or chargers managed by other network providers. 5 of the eCars charge points are of the fast charger type. 

A significant increase in funding for public charging points will be rolled out in the latter half of this year.

The Public Charge Point Scheme continues to be available during 2022 to provide local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. My Department has reviewed the Scheme and has announced through the draft Infrastructure Strategy a number of additional actions to ensure that it is as effective as possible in driving the de-carbonisation effort.

My Department is also developing a new scheme which will support the installation of destination charge points in locations such as visitor centres and parks. This new initiative will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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154. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the regulations to legalise the use of e-scooters and e-bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28120/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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It is intended, as soon as possible and in accordance with the Programme for Government, to provide a clear legal framework for the use of e-scooters on public roads. Provision has been made for powered personal transporters (PPTs), which will include e-scooters, in the Road Traffic and Roads Bill, which has completed second stage in the Dail and is due to go to committee stage shortly.

The Bill will allow the Minister for Transport to make the use of e-scooters legal on public roads by regulation, following the passage of the Bill through the Oireachtas. E-scooters will only become legal to use on Irish roads when regulations for their use and technical specifications have been signed.

The Programme for Government is also committed to legislating for e-bikes. While e-bikes are already provided for in the Road Traffic Acts, the Road Traffic and Roads Bill will clarify the legal definitions for high-powered and low-powered e-bikes. In line with European legislation, high-powered e-bikes will be considered to be light moped (L-category) vehicles and will require registration, tax and insurance. Users will require an L-category driver’s licence and the rules of the road for mopeds and motorbikes will apply. Low-powered pedal-assist e-bikes, capable of speeds up to 25 km/h, will continue to be treated in the same way as pedal bicycles and the rules of the road for bicycles will apply accordingly.