Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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241. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take to ensure that there are sufficient EV chargers in the Chapelizod area of Dublin 20, given the severe lack of same for many locals who live in apartments and houses with drive-ins, who cannot charge their vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9186/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) continues to work directly with local authorities on the delivery of EV charging infrastructure.

Home charging is and will remain the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it is convenient, cheaper for the consumer and assists in the overall management of the national grid by reducing the impact of reliance on higher powered and peak-time charging.

The Apartment Charger Grant, funded by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) and operated by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), assists residents and owners of apartments and other multi-unit developments install a home charger for their EV.

The grant is designed for bulk installation of chargers at a single location, and supports cabling, infrastructure, labour, and construction costs. Owners' management companies, housing bodies, local authorities, commercial and private landlords can apply.

While over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home, for those unable to do so a growing network of neighbourhood and destination charging will provide a reliable alternative.

The draft Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan provides a pathway for the accelerated delivery of destination and neighbourhood charging. The delivery of this plan will be led by local authorities, working together to develop regional and local strategies to promote a unified and efficient rollout of charging infrastructure and to facilitate the equitable transition to EVs.

Local authorities are funded by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland to develop these local and regional EV charging network strategies and implementation plans. This process aims to identify the number of charge points required in each area, including on-street chargers which will serve residents without access to private off-street parking.

Dublin City has been identified as part of Region 3 under the network plan and will be working with counties Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, South Dublin, and regional lead Fingal as well as with relevant support organisations and stakeholders to identify the charging needs for their region through a local charging strategy.

Some authorities have already completed their strategies, while others are in progress. It is anticipated that most of these plans will be finalised in 2025. While strategies are being finalised, ZEVI is funding pilot infrastructure projects in a number of Local Authorities, so as not to delay rollout.

Other solutions may include off-street community chargers, shared charging facilities, and/or use of local rapid destination chargers or hubs.

The Dublin Local Authorities, lead by Fingal County Council, have awarded a contract to deliver 200 charge points at 50 locations across Dublin. The majority of the chargers will be located in Local Authority public car parks and will be 100 kilowatt (kW) DC rapid chargers. The charge points will be delivered over the next two years and will increase charging capacity to support EV charging requirements of EV users in their areas.

ZEVI will continue to work with local authorities as they develop their strategies and will provide other supports and resources as necessary.