Written Answers Nos. 278-284
278. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport his plans to allow the installation of private home EV chargers for those with access to on-street or public parking space outside their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57255/25]
View answerThe 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 rollout.
279. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the financial allocation in Budget 2026 for the advancement of the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney road scheme; when the next phase of this project will commence; the estimated final completion date for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57264/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
With regard to allocations for national roads in 2026, it is important to point out that the allocations process has not yet taken place. Allocations for individual projects in 2026 will be announced in the coming months.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply updating you as to the latest status of this project. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
280. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the details of all reports, including consultancy reports commissioned by his Department from 1 January 2024 to date in 2025, that could be categorised as not for external publication or marked for internal use only; the cost of each report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57300/25]
View answerPlease see list below of reports which were produced for internal use in the Department of Transport in 2024 to date in 2025. The reports cover a wide variety of matters within the Department's remit.
|
Year |
Report |
Name of Company |
Cost |
|
2024 |
To review the modelled bio-energy demand in transport in Ireland and an assessment of available supply of sustainable renewable transport fuel and feedstocks to meet the current target. |
O’Byrne Cleirigh |
Nil cost to the Department – compiled by O’Byrne Cleirigh under the existing contract with the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) |
|
2024
|
Technical review of Preliminary Business Case for the Replacement of the ILV Granuaile. |
Deltamarin |
€61,500 |
|
2024 |
The design of engagement pilot programmes in the transport sector in the context of climate action and sustainable mobility. |
MCCP |
€69,495 |
|
2024 |
Dublin Port Masterplan Review - Final Report |
Rogan Consultants |
€66,789 |
|
2024 |
Safe Operating Procedure for Regional and Local Roads Engineering Inspection Staff |
Quadra Consulting |
€2,214 |
|
2024-2025 |
Risk Management Framework Advisory |
Grant Thornton |
€61,500 |
|
2025 |
ECTS External Assurance Review |
AECOM |
€31,660.50 |
|
2025 |
Shaping the employee experience - a strategic review of the employee journey at the Department of Transport |
Works Matters Solutions |
€49,450.00 |
|
2025 |
Bus Connects Cork PBC EAP Review |
Deloitte |
€4,920.00 |
|
2025 |
ZEVI |
Krisolis Ltd |
€207,993 |
281. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the progression of the Cork to Limerick motorway (M20); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57310/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
I can confirm that €4,500,000 has been allocated for the M20 Cork to Limerick scheme in 2025. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for the project will be kept under review for 2026 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
282. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be provided for the provision of a cantilever footbridge alongside the river bridge over the Shannon at Rooskey, County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57338/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel infrastructure. The National Transport Authority (NTA) along with the relevant local authorities are responsible for the development and delivery of individual projects.
The Government is committed to promoting and enabling walking and cycling across the country with approximately €360 million provided for Active Travel and Greenways this year alone, supporting projects in every Local Authority. The vast majority of this funding is allocated to the National Transport Authority (NTA) through the Department of Transport for its Active Travel Infrastructure Programme. I was delighted to secure similar funding for Active Travel and Greenways in Budget 2026, meaning that we can continue to progress walking and cycling projects around the country into next year.
As part of the allocations determination, the NTA liaises with each local authority to fully understand the projects being proposed by the local authority and its considerations in terms of priorities.
In general, the main focus of active travel investment will be to support high quality walking and cycling infrastructure, for everyday trips, in villages, towns and cities, particularly in designated growth settlements, with a view to promoting the greatest potential modal shift to active travel.
Given the ramping up of activities over the last few years in the Active Travel area, the number of projects being progressed now exceeds the level of funding made available to the NTA. Accordingly, the NTA is unable to fully fund all proposed Active Travel projects and has to prioritise certain projects over others in order to remain within its allocated budget. While a project may not be selected by the NTA for funding in a particular year, it may be funded in subsequent years.
The 2026 allocations for the Active Travel Infrastructure Programme will be announced early in the new year.
283. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken by the National Transport Authority to examine and progress service enhancements to the Castleconnell/Montpelier area under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Programme, coordinated with the planned bus connects improvements in Limerick city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57415/25]
View answerAs Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to rural public transport service provision; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. In light of the NTA responsibilities I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
