Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Climate Action Plan 2021 and the Programme for Government set out ambitious targets for achieving decarbonisation of the transport sector. In recognition of this, my Department and its agencies have prioritised the opportunities that this move to electric vehicle presents.

In September of last year, my Department launched the Green Vehicle Loan for Small Public Service Vehicles. This enables owners of small public service vehicles to avail of a loan through Microfinance Ireland of up to €25,000 to help replace their vehicle with an electric or hybrid model.

In late 2021 the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs published their “Skills for Zero Carbon” report which identified the skills and infrastructure needed to support delivery of the Climate Action Plan as we approach 2030. That analysis concluded that a clear switch away from mechanical skills to working on high-voltage electric vehicles will occur over the next decade.

To complement this analysis, my Department’s agencies have responded accordingly. While the sector is in its infancy, a prominent Enterprise Ireland client company in the west of the country is developing battery technology for off-road vehicles. This company employs c. 120 people.

Additionally, IDA Ireland has developed a strategy to target the emerging EV market. IDA Ireland’s strategy for the engineering and green economy sectors actively targets opportunities in the electric vehicle market including automobiles, public transport vehicles, industrial vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and battery manufacturing. Battery science and manufacturing is an important component of this evolving sector and is deeply engrained in all aspects of the electric vehicle industry sector.

IDA Ireland also targets several subsectors in vehicle infrastructure and related technologies, including charging stations and infrastructure; component manufacturing; energy management systems; material science; software engineering; services; as well as associated research and development.

IDA Ireland seeks out opportunities that complement Ireland’s existing manufacturing portfolio which includes the skills and technical needs of this new and developing sector. To do so, the agency works closely with Science Foundation Ireland as well as Irish universities and research institutes to ensure that Ireland attracts and wins important investments that strengthen and enhance our existing manufacturing base and technological capabilities.