Written Answers Nos. 223-245
223. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total number of vessels that were found to have unlawfully entered Irish territorial waters or the States exclusive economic zone in each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54660/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt their outset, it is important to note that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) allows for all vessels, including military vessels, to transit through the territorial waters of coastal states when conducting innocent passage. Furthermore, naval vessels are permitted to conduct exercises outside of territorial waters in a country’s Exclusive Economic Zone so long as this does not unduly interfere with the Coastal State. Any vessels transiting Irish waters must do so in compliance with international law and may be subject to sighting and observation by the Naval Service and Air Corps without their innocent passage being infringed.
The Defence Forces monitor activity within Irish territorial waters and the Irish EEZ on a continual basis. For security and operational reasons the Deputy will appreciate it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further.
224. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the Defence Force’s expenditure on advertising, with details of the objective, duration, social media platforms, reach, audience, CTR and cost of each social media advertising campaign, in each of the years 2023 to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54678/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Defence Forces that the following is the information requested in respect of social media campaigns in each of the years 2023 to date in 2025.
The objective of these campaigns is to raise awareness and generate interest in Tri-Service (Army, Naval Service and Air Corps) recruitment and to drive qualified and high quality application activity through targeted digital channels.
Campaigns are run year round with additional focus on specific competitions as they open at particular times of the year, e.g. cadetship, aircraft maintenance technician etc.
The social media advertising is spent across Meta (Facebook/Instagram), LinkedIn, Snapchat, with broader reach media as applicable.
Campaigns were designed to reach broad but targeted segments, consistent with recruitment objectives. Specific audience segments and reach metrics are maintained in the internal campaign dashboards and campaign-specific reports.
Click-through rates (CTR) figures allow overall performance to be aligned with industry benchmarks for recruitment activity on these platforms. The CTR is monitored continuously to optimise creative, targeting and bidding. In regards to Social Media platforms, it is important to note that 90 per cent of our traffic comes from posts/reels with paid advertisement supporting them. This gives us excellent reach to target specific demographics. It also affords us the opportunity to publish jobs through social media platforms to target specific people we are recruiting for example Chefs, Engineers and Grooms. The following are the number of impressions created in 2025 from paid advertisement spend across the various platforms used
- Instagram - 10.8 million
- Facebook - 88.7 million
- Snapchat - 41.1 million
- Total impressions for 2025 - 140.6 million.
The Defence Forces do not have a TikTok account.
Cost of Advertising Campaigns:
2023 (01 Jan 2023 – 31 Dec 2023), Total advertising spend (excl. fees): €1,504,327.06 + VAT, Social media spend: €91,399.85 + VAT.
2024 (01 Jan 2024 – 31 Dec 2024), Total advertising spend (excl. fees): €2,007,246.72+ VAT. Social media spend: €241,181.34 + VAT.
2025 to date (01 Jan 2025 – 08 Oct 2025), Total advertising spend (excl. fees): €1,814,267.65 + VAT, Social media spend: €209,150.38 + VAT.
The integrated Tri-Service advertising approach has contributed to increased engagement and recruitment activity, with positive implications for overall manpower balance and capability.
225. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his expenditure on advertising, with details of the objective, duration, social media platforms, reach, audience, CTR and cost of Reserve Defence Forces Recruitment Campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54680/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe military authorities have advised that there has been ongoing Tri-Service recruitment advertising activity and this has contributed to increased awareness of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). The cost of such advertising campaigns in 2025 (as of 8 October) is as follows:
• Total advertising spend (excl. fees): €1,814,267.65 + VAT, Social media spend: €209,150.38 + VAT.
The objective of these campaigns is to raise awareness, generate interest in Tri-Service recruitment and achieve high quality application activity through targeted digital channels. These campaigns are run year around with additional focus on specific recruitment competitions, as appropriate, and are designed to reach broad but targeted audience segments. Social media advertising is mostly concentrated across Meta (Facebook/Instagram), LinkedIn and Snapchat and CTR (Click-Through Rate) figure performance aligns with industry benchmarks for recruitment activity on these platforms.
The military authorities have further advised that, while there has not been stand-alone Reserve Defence Force campaign expenditure to date, an RDF-focused advertisement campaign is expected to be introduced early in 2026.
226. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 191 of 18 February 2025, the progress which has been made regarding a review of the findings of the Study Group on Defence Forces Standards of Colour Deficiency being carried out by the military authorities; if they have engaged with his Department on the matter; and when they will engage with the Defence Forces representative associations. [54781/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to my response to the previous Parliamentary Question from 18 February 2025 as referenced by the Deputy in his question, the Defence Forces advise that the report remains with the military authorities for further consideration in respect of the regulatory impacts, across a range of Defence Forces regulations, should the recommendations of the study group on Defence Forces Standards of Colour deficiency be adopted.
More specifically, the Defence Forces advise that their Medical Branch is currently engaged in reviewing the recommendations contained in the report with regards to the range of secondary tests that are now available. As part of that process, they are liaising with specialists from the National Optometry Centre, to identify the most effective, equitable, and cost-efficient option for secondary testing.
Following identification and consideration of the appropriate secondary testing and the regulatory impacts and subject to approval by the Defence Forces Board, the next stage will be engagement with officials from my Department to determine an agreed position before engagement with the Representative Associations.
227. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress that has been made by his Department on the future of Nenagh Military Barracks since his Department met with this Deputy and Deputy Ryan O'Meara along with local councillors on the issue. [54872/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing on from the meeting referred to by the Deputy, I understand that some of the local schools have expressed an interest in potentially acquiring some of the lands in the barracks for future expansion. My Department is engaging with these schools on this matter. As the Deputy will appreciate I am most anxious to ensure that any local educational needs are meet with first and foremost and as such further an analysis of the potential future use for the remainder of the barracks will be dependent on the outcome of those deliberations.
228. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the exclusion of Defence Forces members from WRC remedies under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 is intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54892/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (the Act) is to provide a mechanism whereby workers can provide information in confidence to employers relating to relevant wrongdoings as set out in the Act. It also protects persons from the taking of action against them in respect of the making of disclosures. A member of the Defence Forces has the status of a person holding office in the service of the State. In the case of members of the Defence Forces, the independent Ombudsman for the Defence Forces established pursuant to the provisions of the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004 is empowered to investigate claims of penalisation.
229. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if there are any technical, legal, operational, or policy constraints preventing his Department, when publishing quarterly reports of payments or purchase orders over €20,000, from including additional columns that link each payment to its underlying procurement process specifically tender/contract title; name and address of the awarded contractor/supplier; contract award date; contract duration; expected contract value (excl. VAT); maximum contract value (excl. VAT); the unique identifier from the relevant contract award notice; and where such constraints exist, to provide details explaining his Department’s current process for reconciling each reported payment with the corresponding published contract award notice on eTenders. [55055/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra230. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if all contracting authorities under the aegis of his Department are in full compliance with Circular 05/2023, in particular the mandatory requirement to publish contract award notices for all contracts above €25,000; and if he will provide details of the monitoring or enforcement arrangements in place to ensure this requirement is met. [55072/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 230 together.
The Department of Defence follows the principle of competitive tendering for Government contracts in accordance with national & EU regulations, including specific EU regulations for procurement of defensive equipment, and in line with Office of Government Procurement guidelines where relevant.
Departmental procurement procedures are kept under constant review to ensure Office of Government Procurement advice including Circular 05/2023 is followed and to ensure best value for money procurements are achieved. My Department has recently introduced a new Procurement Tracking System which will enhance tracking, management and reporting on procurements including on the publication of Contract Award Notices.
Robust governance procedures are in place to ensure oversight and approval of expenditure and to ensure that expenditure is profiled and monitored on an ongoing basis. Specifically, a High Level Planning and Procurement Group (HLPPG), comprising of senior civil and military management of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, and an associated Working Group, meet on a monthly basis to evaluate all relevant procurement matters. Purchasing procedures are kept under constant review to support good procurement practice, project management and good corporate governance.
My Department routinely publishes details of Purchase Orders for goods and services valued at more than €20,000, on foot of a previous Programme for Government commitment and has no plans to change this approach.
231. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 66 of 7 October 2025, the number of patrols by both Naval Service assets and Air Corps maritime patrol aircraft, by month, since February 2022, in tabular form. [55131/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe tables below detail the number of Naval Service and Air Corps maritime patrols conducted in 2022, 2023, 2024 and to the end of August 2025.
Naval Service Patrols
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 (as of end August) |
|
|
No. of patrols |
No. of patrols |
No. of patrols |
No. of patrols |
|
January |
60 |
67 |
31 |
48 |
|
February |
64 |
42 |
29 |
30 |
|
March |
62 |
59 |
31 |
45 |
|
April |
62 |
28 |
30 |
44 |
|
May |
70 |
48 |
31 |
45 |
|
June |
67 |
46 |
30 |
44 |
|
July |
84 |
73 |
42 |
45 |
|
August |
60 |
35 |
45 |
48 |
|
September |
81 |
30 |
38 |
N/A |
|
October |
60 |
31 |
37 |
N/A |
|
November |
66 |
30 |
37 |
N/A |
|
December |
54 |
31 |
47 |
N/A |
|
|
790 |
520 |
428 |
349 |
Air Corps Maritime Patrols
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 (as of end August) |
|
|
No. of patrols |
No. of patrols |
No. of patrols |
No. of patrols |
|
January |
14 |
7 |
5 |
14 |
|
February |
15 |
10 |
5 |
9 |
|
March |
9 |
4 |
5 |
16 |
|
April |
5 |
6 |
5 |
14 |
|
May |
5 |
7 |
15 |
13 |
|
June |
12 |
3 |
9 |
16 |
|
July |
7 |
3 |
10 |
20 |
|
August |
0 |
4 |
13 |
17 |
|
September |
0 |
3 |
10 |
N/A |
|
October |
10 |
1 |
12 |
N/A |
|
November |
13 |
4 |
16 |
N/A |
|
December |
7 |
2 |
7 |
N/A |
|
|
97 |
54 |
112 |
119 |
Two new C295 maritime patrol aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communication equipment were delivered to the Air Corps in 2023 to replace the existing CASA CN235 aircraft. Following an intensive period of training and verification, the new aircraft commenced operations in May 2024.
232. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide a list of all studies, research and reports commissioned by his Department that were outsourced, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; the names of the companies to which each study, research and report was outsourced; the total cost for each; the number of reports finalised and presented to him that have yet to be released by his Department; the dates on which any such reports yet to be released were first provided to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55158/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnfortunately the information sought by the Deputy could not be collated in the timeframe provided. My officials will collate same and I will arrange to have this data provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
|
Year |
Company |
Study/Research/Report |
Total Cost |
|
Year |
Company |
Study/Research/Report |
Total Cost |
|
2019 - 2021 |
Padraig Love (not subject to VAT) |
Review of recruitment practices and processes in the PDF: project arising out of the 2019 Report of the Public Service Pay Commission on Recruitment and Retention in the Permanent Defence Force. |
€42,900 |
|
2019 - 2021 |
John O’Hehir Consulting Ltd |
Embedding Workforce Planning in the PDF: project arising out of the 2019 Report of the Public Service Pay Commission on Recruitment and Retention in the Permanent Defence Force |
€103,776.35 |
|
2020 |
Vedette Consulting |
To provide expert advice on the Feasibility of the Establishment of a Research, Technology & Innovation (RTI) Capability for the Irish Defence Organisation |
€30,012 |
|
2021 – 2022 |
John O’Hehir Consulting Ltd |
PDF – Strategic Workforce Plan 2020 - 2035 |
€40,590 |
|
2022 |
Niall Beirne SC |
Review into the retirement of a member of the Permanent Defence Forces |
€39,372.30 |
|
2022 |
Altea |
Pre-owned Business Jet Market Analysis Report |
€22,000 (ex VAT) |
|
2022 |
Malone O’Regan |
Environmental monitoring, services and reports for Branch use only. |
€66,420 |
|
2022 – 2023 |
Independent Review Group – Defence Forces (IRG-DF) |
Final Report to the Minister for Defence - Independent Review Group – Defence (IRG-DF) |
€310,691.38 |
|
2023 |
Dublin City University |
FUTUREPROOF-IE Research into National Risk Assessment Policies and Horizon Scanning Methodologies utilised across government with a view to identifying efficiencies. |
€49,928.45 |
|
2023 |
Dublin City University |
Communicating for Impact: Public Safety Messaging for Border Communities (C41) |
€29,880.00 |
|
2023 |
Maynooth University and Monaghan County Council |
Advancing a Cross Border Approach to Messaging in Emergency Management |
€30,000.00 |
|
2023 |
ARUP |
Cost Benefit Analysis/Feasibility Study – Cathal Brugha Barracks |
€296,350 |
|
2023 |
CPL- Future of Work Institute |
Validation and Opportunities Report Irish Naval Service |
€20,550 (ex. VAT) |
|
2024 |
Grant Thornton |
To carry out a review of all medical services provided to Defence Forces personnel, in line with CODF recommendations |
€197,900 (ex. VAT) |
|
2024
|
CROWE ADVISORY IRELAND LTD |
Review of Civil Defence Training College Delivery Model |
€92,004 |
|
2024 |
Peter Ward SC |
To undertake a high-level analysis of the application of military law in circumstances where personnel have been convicted of serious offences in the civil courts. |
€130,349.25 |
|
2024 |
SETU |
Horizon Scanning Survey - Identifying Current and Future Technological Needs. |
Funded under €50240.53 grant from Research Ireland. |
|
2024 |
Senior Counsel |
Independent Inquiry into the incident of the 14 December 2022 in Lebanon involving members of the Irish Defence Forces |
Ongoing |
|
2024 |
360 Finn Partners |
Assistance in the delivery of a comprehensive Communications Strategy |
€20,664 |
|
2024 and ongoing |
KPMG Ltd. |
Integrating Strategic Risk Systems to Advance the Resilience of Critical Entities in Estonia, Finland and Ireland |
100% of cost is covered by EU Commission |
|
2025 |
HOGARTH |
Consultancy for Curragh Plains Conservation Management Plan (plus ‘Interpretation, Branding and Wayfinding Strategy’) which included printing and translating final report into Irish) |
€76,223.95 |
|
2025 |
World Bank providing technical assistance |
The Office of Emergency Planning is conducting a review of the Strategic Emergency Management National Structures and Framework policy. The grant project is titled ‘Good Practice and Recommendations for Strengthening the National Strategic Policy Framework for Emergency Management’. |
€250,000.00 The project is 100% financed by the European Union through the Technical Assistance Financing Facility (TAFF). This is a partnership between the European Commission through its Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG-ECHO), the World Bank, and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR). |
233. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his Department and each body under its aegis discloses expenditure on external consultancy and adviser fees, by category (details supplied) in their annual report and or financial statements for each accounting year; if they provide direct web links to the most recent publications where these Section 1.5 disclosures are set out for his Department and for each aegis body; and if they provide the total consultancy and adviser fees by the Section 1.5 categories for each of the past five years for his Department and for each aegis body, respectively; and the internal controls that are in place to ensure that these category-level disclosures are made annually and that procurement of such services complies with applicable competitive tendering rules, in tabular form. [55363/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies sets out the business and financial reporting requirements to be observed by State bodies.
The Code aims to ensure commercial and non-commercial State bodies meet the highest standards of corporate governance.
The Code does not apply to the financial accounts prepared annually for the Defence Vote Group (comprising of Vote 35 Army Pensions and Vote 36 Defence).
With regard to the bodies under the aegis of the Department - External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces (EOB), the Army Pensions Board and the Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (ODF), the Code does apply to the EOB and the ODF, but not to the Army Pensions Board, which does not have any separate financial reporting responsibilities from Vote 35 (Army Pensions).
The EOB, which was established on a statutory footing on 1st December 2024, confirmed, in its first Financial Statements (covering 1 December to 31 December 2024), that work is in progress to ensure full compliance with the requirements of the Code. The Financial Statements confirmed that there were no consultancy costs in 2024.
in the case of the ODF, they do not provide direct web links to the most recent publication. Their total consultancy and adviser fees by the Section 1.5 categories for each of the past five years are set out in the following table
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2020 |
€3,075 |
|
2021 |
€2,118 |
|
2022 |
Nil |
|
2023 |
€1,230 |
|
2024 |
€3,496 |
The ODF has also confirmed that the procurement of such services complies with applicable competitive tendering rules.
234. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if the L3 bus terminus is being relocated back to the Nurseries following the completion of the roadworks in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54578/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
235. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the number of vehicles clamped at each Irish Rail station carpark, to date in 2025, in tabular form. [54586/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Irish Rail. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
236. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if there is a mechanism by which an individual can retrospectively claim back arrears on motor tax in the event of incapacitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54607/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rules for the refund of motor tax are set out in legislation. The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 outlines the instances in which a refund of motor can be made as well as the timeframe in which a vehicle owner can request a refund. Motor Tax legislation only provides for refunds of motor tax for motor tax discs and not for periods of arrears.
There is no mechanism in motor tax legislation for claiming back arrears that have been paid.
If a vehicle is not going to be used in a public place it can be declared off the road by submitting an Off the Road Declaration. The Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013 requires that where the owner of a vehicle wishes to declare a vehicle off the road the declaration must be done in advance. The declaration must be made in the month of expiry of the vehicle's current motor tax disc or current off road declaration.
Where a declaration is not made in advance motor tax must be paid for a minimum of three months, along with any arrears, where applicable, before a declaration of non-use can then be made in the final month of the tax disc.
237. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Transport the nature of refurbishment works that Irish Rail carried out at Kilbarrack and Raheny Dart Stations in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [54615/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Irish Rail. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
238. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the reason funding has not been released for the Dunkettle to Cork cycleway. [54630/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
239. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport when each of the 12 new BusConnects spine services will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54636/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the BusConnects routes in Dublin.
As the Deputy may be aware, BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, with the aim to provide better bus services across five cities. It is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State and is managed by the NTA.
Following on from three rounds of public consultation which concluded in 2020, new bus services in Dublin are already being delivered, with the first six phases of the Network Redesign rolled out in recent years. The next phase, Phase 7, which is due to commence in October 2025, will see the roll out of the F Spine connecting Finglas to Tallaght.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
240. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport when the B spine BusConnects route will be implemented; if it will be implemented in advance of the infrastructural works on the Blanchardstown to city centre corridor being completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54637/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the BusConnects routes in Dublin.
As the Deputy may be aware, BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, with the aim to provide better bus services across five cities. It is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State and is managed by the NTA.
Following on from three rounds of public consultation which concluded in 2020, new bus services in Dublin are already being delivered, with the first six phases of the Network Redesign rolled out in recent years. The next phase, Phase 7, which is due to commence in October 2025, will see the roll out of the F Spine connecting Finglas to Tallaght.
Matters relating to bus service delivery and planning fall under the remit of the National Transport Authority, in co-operation with the relevant transport operator, and are subject to funding and/or resource availability.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
241. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Transport the plans for on-street chargers to supply residents without access to private off-street parking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54644/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 roll-out.
Some authorities have already completed their strategies, while others are in progress. It is anticipated that most of these plans will be finalised in 2025.
To address a particular challenge of home-charging access a Shared Charging Pilot Scheme was also launched in February this year. This innovative, peer-to-peer programme enables homeowners to rent their EV chargers to others through a booking platform, offering cost-effective charging options for EV owners who don’t have private off-street parking. The pilot will be supported by ZEVI and will be rolled out in urban, suburban and rural areas.
242. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the status of a driving test for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54650/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes all application and scheduling matters. In that regard, the operation of the service does not fall under the direct control of my Department, the information requested is held by the RSA.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
243. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if students resident in Ireland but studying at an international third level institution can avail of student Leap cards; and the way they may acquire one. [54661/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
244. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to ensure that students resident in Ireland but studying at Northern Ireland-based third level institutions can avail of student Leap cards. [54662/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
245. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to ensure that students resident in Ireland but studying at UK and EU-based third level institutions can avail of student Leap cards. [54663/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
