Electric Vehicles
Dail Éireann — 2026-03-26
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Alan Dillon (FG), Mayo

I thank Deputy Stanley for raising this important matter of EV charging points in Laois. I am taking this on behalf of the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. The 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. A significant challenge to EV uptake by consumers is perception around availability and suitability of charging infrastructure. While over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home and will address most users' charging needs, there is a need for a streamlined public charging network to provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible.
Currently, there is an obligation on charging point operators and owners to publicly share charge point data under the EU alternative fuel infrastructure regulation. Data from January 2026 shows that in County Laois, there were approximately 20 publicly accessible charging pools - locations with at least one charging point - with 67 charging points across these pools. There is an aggregated power output of 5 MW across these pools. It should be noted that this data is provided by charge point operators, CPOs, and there are some small differences in approach across CPOs in relation to the format of data provided. Zero emission vehicles Ireland, ZEVI, an office in the Department of Transport, is finalising a data strategy and associated data platforms that will, once in place, enhance the Department's ability to monitor this infrastructure more accurately. This strategy is being finalised following consultation and will be published shortly.
The system will enable measures to be put in place to enhance accuracy of data provided by charge point operators in relation to charge points in near real time and provide this comprehensive data on an open data basis. The new draft national EV charging infrastructure strategy 2026-2028 was published on 26 February and aims to further accelerate the delivery of EV infrastructure across lreland. It includes a comprehensive plan to expand and future-proof the national EV charging network, ensuring that charging infrastructure continues to keep pace with the growing demand for electric vehicles. The strategy will build on previous ZEVI publications, such as the regional and local EV charging network plan and the national road EV charging network plan.
The national road EV charging network plan sets out targets for en route charging across the national road network, whereas the regional and local EV charging network plan focuses on neighbourhood and destination charging locations that 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 regional lead Offaly. Local authorities will be funded 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.

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Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:47+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-26