Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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241. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans for on-street chargers to supply residents without access to private off-street parking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54644/25]

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.

Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) is a dedicated Office within the Department of Transport, charged with supporting consumers, the public sector and businesses to continue to make the switch to zero emission vehicles. The Office leads on the delivery of the Ireland’s ambitious targets under the Climate Action Plan 2023 to have an expected 30% of our private car fleet switched to electric by 2030.

Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.

There is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible.

In July 2025, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment adopted a Strategy Statement on Private Wires. This is a significant reform of the rules on electricity infrastructure. It will unlock private sector investment in electricity infrastructure, particularly renewable generation and storage and will potentially enable the use of EV chargers to support on-street parking in specific circumstances.

ZEVI fully supports this Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment led initiative.

In addition, the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan provides a pathway for the accelerated delivery of public destination and neighbourhood charging and will be led by Local Authorities.

Local authorities will be funded by ZEVI to develop local and regional EV charging network strategies and implementation plans. This process will identify the number of charge points required in each area, including on-street chargers to serve residents without access to private off-street parking. While strategies are being finalised, ZEVI is funding pilot infrastructure projects in a number of Local Authorities, so as not to delay any initial roll-out.

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.

To address a particular challenge of home-charging access a Shared Charging Pilot Scheme was also launched in February this year. This innovative, peer-to-peer programme enables homeowners to rent their EV chargers to others through a booking platform, offering cost-effective charging options for EV owners who don’t have private off-street parking. The pilot will be supported by ZEVI and will be rolled out in urban, suburban and rural areas.