Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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232. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are plans to significantly increase the number of charging points for EVs around the country; if his attention has been drawn to reports of queues waiting to use limited charging points and the impact this is having on journey times; if he will commit to improving the charging network as a matter of priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65958/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years.

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

The National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy outlines the requirements for publicly accessible charging and installing 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.

In 2024, the locations of 17 new high-powered recharging pools for electric vehicles were announced along the National Road Network.

In June 2025, the locations of 53 new high-powered recharging pools to be rolled out under this scheme on the National Road Network were announced under Phase 2 of the ZEVI EV Recharging Infrastructure LDV National Road Grant Scheme.

In October 2025, we announced the locations of 90 new high-powered recharging pools to be rolled out under Phase 3 of the scheme.

The Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan, which focuses on destination and neighbourhood charging, was published in April this year. The plan will be led by Local Authorities in partnership with both public and private sectors.

A range of new charging infrastructure schemes are being developed, including:

• A Shared Island funded Sports Club scheme, which will install up to 200 fast chargers in sports clubs on the island of Ireland.

• Local Authority pilot schemes, funding the roll out of EV charging in Local Authorities who have already developed local EV network plans, while supporting the development of local EV Network plans in other areas.

We are aware that more public charging is needed and are already seeing a significant increased capacity of EV charging on our national roads, with capacity on the public charging network having doubled since 2023. Government will continue to do what it can to facilitate the rollout of more chargers as having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.