Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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188. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of EV charging points available in the country, by local authority area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65283/25]

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 electric vehicle (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.

The number of publicly available charge points in Ireland has increased from 1,700 in September 2022 to 2,400 in 2024. In order to achieve Ireland’s EU targets under the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), it is expected that there will be 3,200 – 6,210 public chargers required nationally, depending on the level of power supplied at each. Ireland’s requirements under EU legislation require not a specific number of chargepoints, but a power capacity to be provided on the public charging network. It is estimated that currently at least 160,000 kw of power is available on the public charging network. This is a significant increase from 67,000 kw of power in 2022.

Currently, the Department of Transport does not track the number of publicly accessible EV charging stations by region. However, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland is developing a Data Strategy and associated data platforms that will, once in place, enhance the Department’s ability to monitor this infrastructure.

The system will enable the collection of data from charge-points in near real time and provide it on an Open Data basis. The obligation on charge-point operators and owners to share this data is legislated for in the EU Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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189. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding initiatives being worked on by his Department that seek to increase the provision of EV charging infrastructure, particularly in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65284/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Rural motorists are often in an advantageous position to make the switch to an electric vehicle, due to the large number of dwellings in rural Ireland which are suitable for home EV charging.

Home charging means lower running costs and many EVs are now capable of doing over 400km on a single charge, which will meet most people’s daily driving needs.

TII are leading on the delivery of charging infrastructure along our motorways and national primary and secondary routes and we have launched grant aid programmes for the delivery of significant high powered charging infrastructure on these roads, to ensure that EV drivers have reliable access to charging points across the country.

The Shared Island Sports club charging scheme will provide fast and high quality recharging points in up to 200 sports clubs across the island.

Also of significant relevance to rural motorists is the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan. This plan describes how Local Authorities will facilitate the provision of local charging networks.

Officials from my Department have been engaging actively with Local Authorities to develop their own regional charging plans to meet the various needs of users at the local level, whether urban or rural.

Work has commenced on a new EV Infrastructure Strategy, covering the period 2026-2028. A key consideration in that will be addressing the specific EV challenges for rural communities.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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190. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding national targets for the provision of public EV charging stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65285/25]

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.

To date this has been led by private sector investment, and the number of publicly available charge points in Ireland has increased from 1,700 in September 2022 to 2,400 in 2024. In order to achieve Ireland’s EU targets under the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), it is expected that there will be 3,200 – 6,210 public chargers required nationally, depending on the level of power supplied at each. Ireland’s targets under EU legislation require not a specific number of chargepoints, but a power capacity to be provided on the public charging network. It is estimated that currently at least 160,000 kw of power is available on the public charging network. This is a significant increase from 67,000 kw of power in 2022.

The National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy outlines the need for a National EV Charging Network Plan to define the requirements for publicly accessible charging. The objective is to be ahead of demand and deliver on the AFIR requirements and install EV Infrastructure that is capable of meeting user needs. This strategy is currently being revised with a refreshed strategy for 2026-2028 to be published for consultation in the coming months.

The first element of the National EV Charging Network Plan – the National Road EV Charging Network Plan - will see large banks of high powered chargers installed every 60km on motorways, with significant provision of high powered chargers also on national primary and secondary roads. The Plan sets out ambitious targets for the level and coverage needed for En-Route charging on our national roads network.

We are already seeing significant increased capacity of EV charging on our national roads, and this plan provides additional reassurance and certainty for EV drivers and those thinking of making the switch to EVs that they will be able to find high powered, fast and convenient EV charge-points where and when they need them.

The second element, the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan, focuses on destination and neighbourhood charging. The plan will be led by Local Authorities in partnership with both public and private sectors.