Written Answers Nos. 224-245
224. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Ireland's plans for participation in COP30; the composition of the official Irish delegation; the ministerial or departmental engagements planned during the conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63544/25]
View answerIreland is committed to concerted global action to address the climate crisis and engages in negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement through its membership of the European Union. Ireland has actively engaged with EU partners in preparation for the 30th Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP30) in Belem, Brazil which is currently taking place from 10 November – 21 November.
For the first time, the World Leader’s Summit took place before the official start of COP from 6 to 7 November. During the World Leader’s Summit, Ireland was represented by the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, whilst Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, attended during the first week, from 12 -13 November. I will lead Ireland’s National Delegation to COP30 for the second week of the conference, from 17 – 21 November.
Ireland’s delegation includes 56 representatives across four Government Departments and two Agencies. This number also includes two Climate Youth Delegates under my Department.
Officials are engaged across a range of EU negotiating teams linked to priority areas for Ireland including; loss and damage, adaptation, science, and climate finance.
My engagement at COP30 will focus on supporting Ireland’s climate priorities, which includes promoting greater ambition, accelerating a shift away from fossil fuel dependence and calling for increased climate finance, with improved accessibility and quality of adaptation finance going to the most vulnerable. Once COP30 has concluded, I will be happy to provide further details in relation to my role at COP30, including a full list of the Ministerial events attended on behalf of my Department.
225. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the key policy priorities and negotiating positions Ireland aims to advance at COP30; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63545/25]
View answerThis week, I am leading the Irish national climate delegation at COP30 for the week of political negotiations. I also look forward to playing an active part of the EU team, working to reach a positive outcome from negotiations.
Following the characterisation of COP29 as the “finance COP”, the focus of COP30 has turned to implementation and, as such, there are no headline negotiation items for this COP. The EU will be looking for a balanced outcome that encompasses all key negotiation areas.
Making progress on mitigation is a key priority for the EU and Ireland after the failure to make meaningful progress in this area at COP29. Central to progress on mitigation must be consideration of the new Nationally Determined Contributions which will set out how Parties intend to reduce emissions up to 2035. Ireland submits a joint NDC with its EU partners.
A strong outcome on adaptation will also be central to this COP. The focus of negotiations for adaptation at COP30 will be the Global Goal on Adaptation and its indicators. This highly technical work has been ongoing since COP28. Ireland looks forward to the agreement of the indicators at COP30.
While climate finance will not be as central to COP30 as it was to COP29, it is still expected to deliver some key outcomes. The Baku to Belém Roadmap to 1.3T, mandated at COP29, was published on the 5 November and is currently being considered by the Irish and EU officials. This is not a negotiated item and how it will be reflected in the final outcome remains to be seen. The first week of technical negotiations have also seen discussions on Article 9.1 and adaptation finance amongst Parties. Both I and my officials are monitoring the progress of these discussions closely.
Ireland is advocating for the development of a Roadmap on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels as a key outcome of this COP. Building on the first Global Stocktake and its energy outcomes, such a Roadmap could significantly benefit the much needed energy transition and increase greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
COP30 will be a key milestone for Team Ireland, in particular as we prepare for COP31 at which Ireland will hold the Presidency of the EU and lead the COP negotiations on its behalf.
226. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for an update on proposed regulations for biogas facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63555/25]
View answerGovernment has committed to deliver an ambitious target for indigenously produced biomethane by 2030. In response, my Department, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, published the National Biomethane Strategy in May 2024.
Anaerobic Digestion (AD), although a very well-established technology in Europe with over 20,000 plants in operation, is a relatively new and unknown technology in Ireland. Implementation of the National Biomethane Strategy is an on-going process of collaboration across key Government Departments and Agencies. The Biomethane Implementation Group has been established to oversee implementation of the strategy and delivery of the 25 key actions to ensure the necessary infrastructure and supports are in place to underpin the development of an indigenous biomethane industry of scale. A full progress report on delivery of actions within the National Biomethane Strategy is now published on the biomethane policy information page on Gov.ie website.
While Anaerobic Digestors, used to produce biomethane, can bring significant benefits to the communities and environment in which they are located, they are also significant infrastructure with associated impacts. Priority deliverables under the strategy include appropriate guidance to support Local Authorities when assessing AD plants with planning applications. This will be delivered through collaboration among key Departments and Agencies.
The Irish biomethane sector is already well-regulated. Planning permission, licences and permits are required from a number of Agencies. For example, environmental licences are required from the Environmental Protection Agency, and animal-by-product licencing and feedstock regulation are the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Onsite health and safety and connection to the gas network are regulated through the Health and Safety Authority, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and Gas Networks Ireland respectively.
AD and other integrated assets are required to undergo a full planning process to ensure proper consideration of a range of factors, including location, visual impact, land-zoning plans, and ecology. Guidelines and requirements for these are currently set out through various pieces of legislation, policy documents, spatial strategies, and development plans. Projects above a certain threshold are also required to complete an Environmental Impact Assessment.
227. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if his Department has reviewed the balance between environmental protection considerations and the timely delivery of essential infrastructure in the current planning and regulatory processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63589/25]
View answerMy Department's role is to support the Government realising its long-term objective of creating a climate-neutral, sustainable and economically prosperous Ireland, and in this respect, it is crucial to support the delivery of infrastructure while maintaining strong protections for Ireland’s natural environment. For this reason, the Department has been centrally involved with ongoing work to reform project delivery in Ireland.
My Department works inter-Departmentally, which includes very close collaboration with colleagues in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to deliver legislation, plans, policies and guidelines that implement the Programme for Government and critical EU and national policy such as the European Green Deal, the Renewable Energy Directive, Climate Action Plan, National Planning Framework (NPF) and National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF).
The required step change in the State’s ambition from a low carbon to climate neutral Ireland requires strong leadership across Government and the wider public sector as expressed in the Climate Action Plan 2025 (CAP 25). The accelerated delivery of infrastructure is critical to the success of the measures set out in the CAP 25. The associated reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions can only be achieved by ensuring that our electricity, wider energy and transport networks are fit-for purpose and can support the additional demands placed on them by the State’s continued economic growth. Furthermore, infrastructure under the policy remit of my Department is required to meet the State’s housing needs, with significant additional housing development requiring services to support new areas of growth.
A key consideration in my Department’s ongoing involvement in planning and regulatory reform is expediting the delivery of infrastructure that is critical to decarbonisation of Ireland’s economy and greater climate resilience. In that context, my Department supports a balanced approach to regulatory reform that provides proper environmental protection while directly assisting in streamlining and fast tracking project delivery.
228. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the number of major infrastructure projects delayed due to environmental assessment processes, in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63590/25]
View answerMy Department as currently constituted does not have responsibility for any major infrastructure projects.
229. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the total legal costs in defending judicial reviews of planning decisions involving his Department and/or agencies within the aegis of his Department for each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63615/25]
View answer230. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment if he will meet the deadline to transpose EU laws which require Ireland to collect and publish data centre emissions details, together with the energy and water use from the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63987/25]
View answer231. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Defence the number of vacancies which arose at principal officer level for the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 in his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department; the number of these vacancies filled between internal and external methods; the number of vacancies each year at principal officer level filled by mobility; the number of internal competitions for principal officer grade run by his Department since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63021/25]
View answerThere are three bodies under the aegis of my Department; the Army Pensions Board, established under the Army Pensions Act 1927, the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (ODF), established pursuant to the provisions of the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004 and the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces (EOB), which was placed on a Statutory basis on 1 December 2024. The staffing of these bodies is included in the information set out below.
A total of 23 vacancies arose at Principal Officer level between 2022 and to date in 2025 from replacement of officers who left the Department and new positions. 13 of the vacancies were filled following various internal competitions and the remainder through external methods, seven positions were filled through advertised mobility and three on assignment from the Public Appointments Service.
A total of 15 internal competitions were held since 2010 for various positions at principal officer grade. The Department subscribes fully to the implementation of the Commission for Public Service Appointments’ Codes of Practice when administering internal competitions.
232. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Defence the countries with whom Ireland has a memorandum of understanding in respect of defence cooperations, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63112/25]
View answerThe Department of Defence currently holds Memorandums of Understanding with the following countries:
|
Nation |
Title of MOU |
|
Australia |
MOU between Irish Air Corps and Royal Australian Air Force(RAAF) relating to the conduct of KA350 Pilot conversion training and flying |
|
Malta |
MOU with Malta with regard to a combined Deployment to the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) |
|
Poland |
MOU with the Minister for Defence Ireland and the Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Poland with regard to a joint deployment to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) |
|
Romania |
Bilateral Defence Cooperation between the Minister for Defence of Ireland and the Ministry of National Defence in Romania |
|
United Kingdom |
The Enhancement of Bilateral engagement on certain aspects of Defence and Security Co-Operation |
|
United Kingdom |
Concerning the protection of Defence Classified information |
233. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Defence his plans to renew the memorandum of understanding on defence with Finland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63113/25]
View answerA key priority is to ensure that the capabilities of the Defence Forces are maintained, developed and enhanced in order to ensure that the Defence Forces can carry out all of the roles assigned to it by Government.
This includes the implementation of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) recommendations, particularly with regard to the enhancement of Defence Force Capabilities. The Commission's Report included a wide range of further recommendations in relation to capabilities and funding.
More specifically, capability priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered as part of the capability development planning processes which include both a five-year Equipment Development Plan and a Built Infrastructure Programme. This is an ongoing iterative process. In this context, the principal aim of Government policy is to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements at home and overseas.
The Defence Policy Review 2024 sets out an approach to collaboration with other States. It provides that “No nation acting alone can address all of the current complex and dynamic security challenges affecting global and regional defence and security. Ireland accepts this practical reality and appreciates the need to broaden and deepen our levels of engagement on defence issues internationally. In this context, increased collaborative procurement and capability development with partners will also be a feature of Irish defence capability planning to increase our knowledge, subject matter expertise and skills. This approach will serve to improve our defence interoperability, to harness and enhance efficient value-for-money procurement and capability development at the EU level.”
It is in this overall context that engagement with Finland, and a number of other countries has been ongoing in recent months. Engagement with Finland has included meetings between Department officials and colleagues from the Finnish Ministry of Defence and the Finnish Ambassador.
Channels of communication with Finland remain active with discussions taking place at official level between the two ministries. Consideration with regard to formalising an arrangement to enable future collaboration and engagement is ongoing, with agreement expected in the very near future.
234. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Defence if Ireland will be signing an agreement with a company to replace its fleet (details supplied); the timeline involved in such a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63114/25]
View answerMy priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are considered in the context of the established capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) processes.
The Defence Forces operate a fleet of 80 MOWAG Piranha III Armoured Vehicles, providing essential force protection to personnel serving overseas. The fleet is comprised of 53 Infantry Armoured People Carriers, 18 Cavalry Close Reconnaissance Vehicles, 6 Cavalry Medium Reconnaissance Vehicles and 3 Ambulance Variant Vehicles. The vehicles came into service in three phases: in 2002 (40 vehicles), 2004 (25 vehicles) and 2007 (15 vehicles). In recent years there has been significant investment in the armoured fleet of vehicles with the enhancement of force protection and mobility with the mid-life refit of the MOWAG Piranha III vehicles project nearing completion. To date 74 of the 80 vehicles have completed the Midlife Upgrade Programme and have returned to service. The final six vehicles are expected to complete the programme later this year. This programme will ensure the viability of the fleet beyond 2030.
Following the publication of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces in 2022, the Government approved a move, over a six-year period, to a level of Defence Forces’ capability equivalent to ‘Level of Ambition 2’.
A key recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces which has been accepted in principle is the “replacement of the existing APCs with a larger and enhanced fleet equipped with sufficient firepower for future overseas missions, and with ‘level 4’ armour across armour platforms where required”.
A joint civil / military project team are continuing their work on this programme in line with the Public Spending Code Infrastructure Guidelines. The programme is currently in the process of identifying the needs and requirements of the future armoured fleet as part of the capability development planning process. This process is ongoing and no decisions have been made in terms of details concerning the supply of the new fleet.
More generally, in July 2025 the Government approved the National Development Plan (2026-2030). As per the capital allocation under the NDP, the capital budget for Defence will rise from €1.1 billion under the previous NDP to €1.7billion, the largest increase in Defence funding in the history of the State.
This level of capital funding will allow a phased planned programme of sustained equipment and infrastructural development across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as identified and prioritised in the recommendations approved by Government within the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, while building on the significant investment programme over recent years.
235. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Defence the engagement his Department has had with the European Commission regarding the so-called 'crisis mechanism' within the European Defence Industrial Programme which would allow basic protections within the Working Time Directive to be suspended for arms companies, allowing them to override core workers' rights provisions of EU law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63603/25]
View answerThe first European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) was published in March 2024. EDIS provides a long-term strategy to address deficiencies in EU defence readiness and applies lessons learnt from previous EU initiatives such the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) and the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA). EDIS is supported by a financial arm, the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) which makes available €1.5 billion in EU funding for the period 2025-2027 and comprises a framework of measures to ensure the timely availability and supply of defence products.
EDIP was agreed by the Council and the European Parliament on 16 October 2025 following extensive negotiations by Member States in the Defence Industry Working Party, of which Ireland is a member. In the absence of a traditional defence industry, there has been no necessity for bilateral engagements between Ireland and the European Commission concerning the ‘crisis-mechanism’ and as such no bilateral meetings have taken place.
236. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Defence the total legal costs in defending judicial reviews of planning decisions involving his Department and/or agencies within the aegis of his Department for each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63617/25]
View answerHaving undertaken a review of Departmental judicial review cases over the period specified, there have been no legal costs arising from defending judicial reviews of planning decisions involving Minister for Defence or agencies within the aegis of his Department.
237. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 265 of 12 November 2025, the meaning of emergency resilience in this context. [63716/25]
View answer238. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Defence the additional costs incurred by the Irish Defence Forces for security provided at Shannon Airport due to US military use of that airport from 2010 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64014/25]
View answerI am advised the costs requested by the Deputy are as are set out in the table below.
Annual Cost associated with ATCP support at Shannon Airport
|
Year |
|
|
2010 |
€203,366 |
|
2011 |
€259,739 |
|
2012 |
€275,008 |
|
2013 |
€196,769 |
|
2014 |
€180,913 |
|
2015 |
€180,814 |
|
2016 |
€181,699 |
|
2017 |
€180,580 |
239. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the steps his Department is taking to reduce the economic burden being experienced by people who commute long distances to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63790/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
I wish to reassure the Deputy that improving the accessibility, reliability, and affordability of public transport, while ensuring the system remains well-funded and responsive to passenger needs, is a core priority under the Programme for Government. The NTA, as fare regulator, plays a central role in achieving this.
You will be aware that since last year there has been a significant change to the zonal structure used in the Greater Dublin Area for public transport. The old Short Hop Zone has been replaced by a new zonal structure comprising a Dublin City Zone and then three further zones. These zones have been developed based on distances from the city centre, reflecting the rationale generally underpinning the move toward a much fairer fares system, which is based on distance.
The Dublin City Zone extends to approximately 23km from the city centre with Zone 3 representing a distance of around 50km from the city centre. This change has brought a number of benefits to commuters as compared to the previous zonal structure. Commuters in the relevant zones are now enjoying significantly reduced fares for travelling to Dublin.
Regarding tolls on the national road network, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding for the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. The statutory power to levy tolls, make toll bye-laws, and enter agreements with private investors rests with TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended). Moreover, the contracts for the privately-operated toll schemes are commercial agreements between TII and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concessionaires concerned.
The setting of tolls is a statutory function of TII, and in line with that the TII Board proposed a limited number of toll increases for 2026 on the M50 and Dublin Tunnel, along with changes to toll rates on the 8 PPP routes. This is largely driven by inflation calculations based on the Consumer Price Index and set out in the Bye Laws for each toll scheme.
Revenues collected from tolls on the M50 and Dublin Tunnel are invested by TII in the operation and maintenance of the road network, whereas revenue collected from the 8 PPP roads are used by the PPP companies to fund ongoing operations and maintenance activities, as well as to repay loans arising from the construction of the road.
In relation to the Dublin Tunnel, the tolling arrangements also serve an important demand management function, to ensure that non-HGV traffic does not impede the transit of heavy goods vehicles to Dublin Port. To ensure that the Tunnel can continue to fulfil it's core purpose, a €1 increase in the toll that applies to southbound traffic in the morning was deemed appropriate. Tolls on the tunnel at other times remain unchanged.
If tolling revenue did not exist, it would be necessary to use additional exchequer funding to ensure that the national road network is maintained to a high standard. It is important to point out that with regard to private cars, tolls on six of the eight PPP schemes will not change in 2026, with the exceptions being on the M3 and M4.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to the NTA for a direct reply with information in relation to public transport fares and to TII for a direct reply regarding tolls. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
240. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport his response to the introduction of a fixed fare strategy by operators in the taxi sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62737/25]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the setting of fares, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for further information. Please advise my private office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
241. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport the plans to introduce chargers (details supplied) for EV vehicles to Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62757/25]
View answerThe EU adopted the Combined Charging Standard, CCS, as the universally available plug type for fast charge points, as well as the Type 2 standard for normal charging.
Directive 2014/94/EU requires that all high-power DC charging points installed after November 18, 2017 must be equipped for interoperability purposes at least with CCS connectors, however the Directive does not prohibit the use of other types such as CHAdeMO in conjunction with CCS. This standard is continued through the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, which replaced the Directive and is now in place.
It is important to note that the ultimate decision on what additional connectors, if any, to install at a fast charge point is dictated by both the preferences of the installer and by market demand.
My Department is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years.
The EV Recharging Infrastructure LDV En-Route Grant Schemes administered by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and funded by ZEVI will make a significant contribution towards the vision of providing a fully expansive EV recharging infrastructure network across all National Roads. These include several sites in County Limerick and illustrative maps and full location listings of the successful applicants are outlined on the TII website.
There are also 13 eligible clubs in Limerick as part of the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Infrastructure Scheme. The scheme includes GAA, rugby, soccer, golf clubs and other sporting organisations in towns, rural communities and city suburbs.
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 aims to deliver 26 pilot projects across 15 Local Authorities, so as not to delay any initial rollout. Limerick City & County will see 12 charging locations rolled out under a concession contract.
242. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if TII plans to conduct a safety assessment on the M3 motorway (Navan to Dublin) before the toll bridge at Dunboyne, taking into account frequent incidents occurring on this section of the road which can cause significant safety issues and delays for commuters. [62766/25]
View answer243. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the measures available for him to take to improve safety and reduce the volume of incidents before the toll bridge at Dunboyne on the M3, taking into account that there have been several incidents affecting commuters on this section of road in recent times. [62767/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.
As 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 operation and management 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 in relation to the M3.
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.
244. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the long-term plans in place to improve transport infrastructure for commuters from Navan to Dublin. [62768/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority, or NTA, has statutory responsibility for transport planning in the Greater Dublin Area, including County Meath.
The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area sets out a framework for transport investment across the region over a 20-year period from 2022 to 2042. The issue of a rail connection between Dublin and Navan was re-examined as part of the development of the Transport Strategy. That re-examination supported the development of a rail line from Dublin to Navan and the final Strategy includes delivery of the line between 2031 and 2036, subject to planning and funding approvals.
I am pleased to confirm that in 2024 the NTA allocated funding to Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) for the establishment of a design team to commence work on the Navan rail line project. This work involves route option selection, planning and design phases of the project.
IÉ commenced the procurement process for this pre-construction phase of the project, and issued a tender to prequalified consultants at the end of May 2024. In November 2024, multi-disciplinary consultants RPS were appointed by IÉ for the duration of the project to work with the rail company’s in-house project team.
It is anticipated that a public consultation on the route options for the project will take place in 2026. That process will ultimately recommend a defined route and support the development of a preliminary business case, which will need to be approved by Government, in line with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines, before any planning application.
The Navan Rail Line is being delivered by IÉ on behalf of the NTA, with funding for the project being provided by my Department through the NTA.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
245. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the number of EV grants and the average value in each of the years 2020 to date in 2025, by county, tabular form. [62779/25]
View answer246. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the number of EV grants; the average value of vehicle; the average value of award in each of the years 2020 to date in 2025, by county, in tabular form. [62780/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 246 together.
Fleet electrification is expected to continue to provide the greatest share of emissions abatement in the short-to-medium term for the transport sector. Over €100m has been allocated in 2025 to support the continued transition to electric vehicles through funding for EV grants and EV charging infrastructure. This underpins the Government’s commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all.
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (now Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment) held responsibility for electric vehicle and charging grants in 2020. Therefore, the requested details are set out below for the years 2021 to 2025:
|
Breakdown of all grant types paid by county (number of grants) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
County |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 To early November |
|
Carlow |
163 |
123 |
185 |
138 |
198 |
|
Cavan |
114 |
102 |
151 |
85 |
144 |
|
Clare |
252 |
223 |
372 |
223 |
363 |
|
Cork |
1554 |
1130 |
1772 |
1302 |
1955 |
|
Donegal |
346 |
248 |
302 |
204 |
343 |
|
Dublin |
5075 |
3757 |
5654 |
4832 |
5923 |
|
Galway |
528 |
532 |
703 |
444 |
649 |
|
Kerry |
223 |
209 |
282 |
205 |
406 |
|
Kildare |
871 |
706 |
1074 |
845 |
1247 |
|
Kilkenny |
208 |
197 |
243 |
180 |
291 |
|
Laois |
153 |
149 |
202 |
150 |
307 |
|
Leitrim |
29 |
48 |
59 |
36 |
47 |
|
Limerick |
477 |
322 |
512 |
363 |
570 |
|
Longford |
49 |
43 |
80 |
52 |
79 |
|
Louth |
345 |
241 |
421 |
314 |
527 |
|
Mayo |
198 |
207 |
225 |
136 |
253 |
|
Meath |
543 |
594 |
910 |
697 |
975 |
|
Monaghan |
68 |
48 |
84 |
63 |
123 |
|
Offaly |
145 |
123 |
163 |
129 |
222 |
|
Roscommon |
72 |
102 |
126 |
87 |
120 |
|
Sligo |
169 |
156 |
183 |
113 |
188 |
|
Tipperary |
331 |
287 |
324 |
200 |
420 |
|
Waterford |
330 |
268 |
352 |
328 |
403 |
|
Westmeath |
290 |
189 |
259 |
215 |
386 |
|
Wexford |
399 |
381 |
455 |
406 |
536 |
|
Wicklow |
477 |
506 |
750 |
557 |
754 |
|
Total |
13409 |
10891 |
15843 |
12304 |
17429 |
|
Average Vehicle Cost for Private Grants only |
|
|
2021 |
€ 57,200 |
|
2022 |
€ 48,603 |
|
2023 |
€ 50,260 |
|
2024 |
€ 47,966 |
|
2025 |
€ 46,818 |
The Private grants available during this time were as follows:
|
2021 |
|
|
PHEV Grant up to June |
€5,000 |
|
PHEV Grant from June |
€2,500 |
|
BEV Grant |
€5,000 |
|
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
BEV Grant |
€5,000 |
|
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
BEV Grant up to June |
€5,000 |
|
BEV Grant from June |
€3,500 |
|
|
|
|
2024/2025 |
|
|
BEV Grant |
€3,500 |
