To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether her Department will consider rural areas when developing electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The current e-car public charge point network is owned, operated and maintained by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB). The market is also open to other commercial operators who wish to provide charging infrastructure. My Department will, however, liaise closely with commercial providers to ensure the charging infrastructure remains fit for purpose and that consideration is given to provision of charging infrastructure across the North, including in rural areas.

I fully recognise the importance of having modern, reliable public electric vehicle charging infrastructure in providing confidence for users of ultra-low emission vehicles and in respect of the connectivity improvements this would bring. I am pleased that my Department has been able to financially support the EU Funded FASTER project to install EV Rapid Chargers. The project will complement and enhance the existing EV charging infrastructure, and will mean a total of 73 electric vehicle charging points across the eligible area of the Programme i.e. the islanfd of Ireland and the West of Scotland by 31 March 2023.