Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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318. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average time taken for grid connections to be provided for new public EV charging points; the number of public EV charging points currently awaiting grid connection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11487/25]

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.

While over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home, there is an absolute need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible.

In relation to electric vehicle grid connections, Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) continues to work closely with ESB Networks, a key member of the ZEVI Assurance Board and Progress Group. However, issues regarding the national electricity grid rest with EirGrid and ESB Networks.

There is no set average time for new grid connections for EV charging points, as each site location has a multitude of factors that affect the time taken to connect to the grid.

EirGrid and ESB Networks are independent of the Department of Transport in the exercise of their respective functions at an operational level. EirGrid, as Transmission System Operator, has responsibility for the development of the Transmission Network and ESB Networks, as Distribution System Operator, has responsibility for the development of the Distribution Network.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 (ERA) and subsequent legislation. The CRU is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister.

The CRU is responsible for, inter alia, electricity grid connection policy and the economic regulation of the electricity system operators ESB Networks, distribution, and EirGrid, transmission. Under Section 34 of the ERA, the CRU may give directions to system operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, on the terms and conditions of access to the electricity system. Based on the CRU’s policy directions, the system operators issue connection offers.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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319. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has engaged with EirGrid and-or electricity network providers, with a view to accelerating the provision of grid connection for new public EV charging points; and if he is satisfied that with the timelines for provision of new connections to the grid. [11488/25]

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.

While over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home, there is an absolute need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible.

In relation to electric vehicle grid connections, Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) continues to work closely with ESB Networks, a key member of the ZEVI Assurance Board and Progress Group. Responsibility for issues regarding the national electricity grid rest with EirGrid and ESB Networks.

Although ZEVI's primary focus in these discussions is on grid capacity and connections for EV charging points, it should be noted there are many demands on grid capacity across all sectors of Government.

EirGrid and ESB Networks are independent of the Department of Transport in the exercise of their respective functions at an operational level. EirGrid, as Transmission System Operator, has responsibility for the development of the Transmission Network and ESB Networks, as Distribution System Operator, has responsibility for the development of the Distribution Network.

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 (ERA) and subsequent legislation. The CRU is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister.

The CRU is responsible for, inter alia, electricity grid connection policy and the economic regulation of the electricity system operators ESB Networks, distribution, and EirGrid, transmission. Under Section 34 of the ERA, the CRU may give directions to system operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, on the terms and conditions of access to the electricity system. Based on the CRU’s policy directions, the system operators issue connection offers.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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320. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has conducted an assessment of the investment needed in the electricity grid to support the levels of EV charging required to facilitate a substantial increases in the number of electrical vehicles in Ireland, in line with ambitions set by Government, including the climate targets for the transport sector. [11489/25]

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.

While over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home, there is an absolute need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible.

ZEVI has conducted an assessment of the investment required to implement EV charging infrastructure that is set out by the EU in the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), which has targets for each Member State to reach.

Currently, publicly accessible charge points in Ireland are delivering approx. 116,000 KW of charge point capacity. In order to deliver on the EU's Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) targets, this will need to increase to 214,000Kw by 2025 and 712,000KW by 2030. This is based on Light Duty Vehicles (LDVs) which consist of both LGVs and cars as a fleet and also based on Climate Action Plan targets of 195,000 EVs on Irish roads by 2025 and 30% of the private fleet by 2030.

In relation to electric vehicle grid connections, Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) continues to work closely with ESB Networks, a key member of the ZEVI Assurance Board and Progress Group. However, issues regarding the national electricity grid rest with EirGrid and ESB Networks.

EirGrid and ESB Networks are independent of the Department of Transport in the exercise of their respective functions at an operational level. EirGrid, as Transmission System Operator, has responsibility for the development of the Transmission Network and ESB Networks, as Distribution System Operator, has responsibility for the development of the Distribution Network.