Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
460. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will commit to ensuring that climate transition schemes, including electric vehicle grants, will not be restricted due to funding shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28336/26]
View answerCapital expenditure ceilings are established for each Department over the medium term to ensure that public spending remains within sustainable limits and to provide a stable framework within which Departments and their agencies can plan and manage programmes efficiently and effectively.
Once Ministerial Expenditure Ceilings have been determined, it is a matter for each Minister to allocate funding at programme and subhead level within their Department and across the bodies under their remit, to fulfil various policy objectives, including those related to the climate transition. In this context, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 (as amended) requires Ministers to perform their functions in a manner consistent with, and supportive of, the achievement of the national climate objective.
In particular, section 6C of the Act provides for the setting of Sectoral Emissions Ceilings, which establish the maximum level of greenhouse gas emissions permitted across different sectors of the economy. Responsibility for each sectoral emissions ceiling was assigned to Government Ministers in 2022. Accordingly, it is the responsibility of each Minister to ensure that their Department’s priorities and spending allocations are aligned with the emissions ceilings for the sectors under their remit.
Electric vehicle grants and related measures fall within the remit of the Department of Transport. In 2026, I understand that over €120 million has been allocated by the Minister for Transport to support the continued transition to electric vehicles, including funding for EV purchase grants and the expansion of charging infrastructure. The current and capital allocations for the Department of Transport for 2026 have been voted by the Oireachtas in the normal manner.
