Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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177. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider liaising to introduce a grant scheme to support accommodation providers such as hoteliers, guest house proprietors, bed and breakfast owners and so on, to install electric vehicle charging stations on their properties, to encourage the use of EVs by their guests and to alleviate pressure on public chargers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2554/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.

A range of new charging infrastructure schemes are being developed which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging, including:

• The first ZEVI TII EV Recharging Infrastructure LDV National Road Grant Scheme, launched in early 2024. In July 2024 the locations of 17 new high-powered recharging pools to be rolled out under this scheme were announced.

• Phase 2 of the scheme, launched October 2024, will provide banks of high powered chargers along the primary and secondary national road network.

• Phase 3 of the ZEVI TII EV Recharging Infrastructure LDV National Road Grant Scheme is due to launch soon. It will target publicly accessible facilities within 3km driving distance of the Scheme roads and may be of interest to hotels and other publicly accessible sites.

• A Shared Island funded Sports Club scheme, which will install up to 200 fast chargers in sports clubs on the island of Ireland.

• An EU Just Transition Fund supported scheme, which is planned to install 60-80 chargers in the midlands.

• Local Authority pilot schemes, funding the roll out of EV charging in Local Authorities who have already developed local EV network plans, while supporting the development of local EV Network plans in other areas.

Current incentives from Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland include a Home Charger Grant Scheme. The grant is open to homeowners to apply for a grant, whether they own an electric vehicle or not. This charge point can also be used for visitor use or at rented accommodation.

EV incentives and grants are reviewed regularly to ensure that they are delivering value for money and supporting delivery of EV targets.