Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2026
18. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport the locations of public EV Charging points in Laois; and to provide a list of locations where additional charging points will be located.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35445/26]
View answerMy 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, and for enroute charging.
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, and a refreshed strategy for 2026-2028 was published for consultation between February and April (see www.zevi.ie/draft-national-ev-charging-infrastructure-strategy-2026-2028).
Based on official data provided to the national reporting platform by registered ChargePoint Operators (CPOs), there are 17 charging pools with 62 charge points delivering over 3,500 kw capacity. Future planned projects to be delivered by the private sector and CPOs, supported by Exchequer-funded National Road Network Grant Schemes include 5 charging pools with 24 charging points with an additional 3,550 kw capacity with locations shown on the tables below.
|
Address |
Area |
Current No. of Charging Points |
|
The Square R433 |
Rathdowney |
2 |
|
Circle K Service Station, M8 At Junction 3 (R |
Ballacolla |
3 |
|
Junction 3, M8 |
Ballacolla |
8 |
|
Temperance Street |
Abbeyleix |
2 |
|
Shannon Street Slieve Bloom House |
Mountrath |
1 |
|
Portlaoise Plaza, Exit 17, M7 |
Portlaoise |
8 |
|
Midway Complex, M7 Junction 17 |
Meelick |
4 |
|
Car Park beside ESB Offices, Abbeyleix Road |
Portlaoise |
2 |
|
James Fintan Lalor Avenue IE0275 |
Portlaoise |
2 |
|
Lyster Square |
Portlaoise |
2 |
|
Railway Street 1 |
Portlaoise |
12 |
|
Irish Rail, Station Road |
Portlaoise |
2 |
|
O'Moore Street |
Mountmellick |
2 |
|
The Heritage Hotel |
Killenard |
6 |
|
Irish Rail Train Station Car Park, Station Ro |
Portarlington |
2 |
|
Link Road 1 |
Cooltederry |
2 |
|
Public Car Park, Off Link Road |
Portarlington |
2 |
|
|
Total |
62 |
|
Address |
Area |
Planned No. of Charging Points |
|
Portlaoise Plaza |
Portlaoise |
8 |
|
Ballacolla |
Ballacolla |
8 |
|
Drive Mountrath Road Portlaoise |
Portlaoise |
4 |
|
Breslins Supervalu Abbeyleix |
Abbeyleix |
2 |
|
Corrib Oil Mountmellick |
Mountmellick |
2 |
|
|
Total |
24 |
There is also a Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan which focuses on destination and neighbourhood charging. The plan will be led by Local Authorities in partnership with both public and private sectors. Laois has been identified under Region 2 with counties Longford, Roscommon, Westmeath, and the Regional Lead, Offaly.
A third initiative, the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme, provides funding to install a network of publicly accessible chargers in communities nationwide through their local sports clubs. Included in the scope of the Scheme are 227 clubs of which 179 are in Ireland and 48 in Northern Ireland. There are 5 eligible clubs in Laois: Annanough GAA 1, Clonaslee St Manmans GAA 1, Park Ratheniska GAA Club 1, The Heath Golf Club 1, and The Heritage Golf Resort.
