To ask the Minister for Infrastructure, in order to address the climate emergency, what steps her Department is taking to enhance the charge point infrastructure.

The e-car public charge point network is owned, operated and maintained by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and the market is also open to other commercial operators who wish to provide charging infrastructure. My Department has recently been engaging with ESB on their plans to upgrade and improve the reliability of the existing public network.

I have also recently announced my intention to bring forward proposals to assist the expansion of the recharging infrastructure for electric vehicles by providing additional permitted development rights. These allow works to proceed without the need to apply for planning permission.

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 island of Ireland and the West of Scotland by 31 March 2023.