Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will give detailed consideration to the issues raised in correspondence by a national organisation (details supplied), in particular their proposals to assist in advancing decarbonisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52332/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is fully committed to accelerating the transition to cleaner transport; creating the conditions necessary for widespread EV adoption; and phasing out older, high-emission vehicles.

Over €100m has been allocated in 2025 to support the continued transition to electric vehicles which includes funding for EV grants and EV charging infrastructure.

There is a suite of incentives in place from Zero Emission Vehicle Ireland, and where applicable with support from taxation incentives through the Department of Finance, to support the continued transition to EVs and for the rollout of EV charging infrastructure, including:

•     A purchase grant for battery electric vehicles (BEVs);

•     A Home Charger purchase grant scheme;

•     VRT relief of up to €5,000 for the purchase of BEVs;

•     The eSPSV grant scheme for taxi drivers to make the switch to an EV, including wheelchair accessible vehicles;

•     ZEHDV grant scheme – a grant for HDVs to bridge the gap between a low emission vehicle and a fossil fuel vehicle; and

•     Low rate of annual motor tax.

As detailed in the Programme for Government, I am examining the current EV grant system and the introduction of additional incentives with a view to increasing take-up of EVs and replacing older, polluting vehicles. However, it should be noted that decisions on financial incentives must be taken in the context of overall financial sustainability and greatest impact.

Government’s aim is to create an optimum environment to keep up with demand for EV charging and make it possible for anyone who wants an EV to have one. We will continue to take a balanced approach, ensuring that our incentives and policy measures are both ambitious and deliverable within our current environment.