To ask the Minister for Infrastructure pursuant to AQW 21866/17-22, to detail the number and location of all EV charge points that have been successfully installed in Northern Ireland by local councils as a result of the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme.

It is a matter for local councils to detail the number and location of all EV charge points that have been successfully installed in Northern Ireland by local councils as a result of the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme.

The British Government has made £20 million in grant funding available to local authorities/councils in GB-NI for 2021/22 to provide charge points for residents without off-street parking through the ORCS. The Department has been engaging with OZEV and with the Energy Saving Trust (EST), who administer the ORCS, with reference to local councils in the North. Following discussions between my Department and OZEV in respect of the ORCS, the EST held a workshop late last year with our local councils about the scheme and indicated that it was prepared to hold further events to support councils in the North interested in applying to the ORCS scheme.

My Department is currently represented on an ORCS council consortium set up to look at applying for ORCS funding which is being led by Derry City and Strabane District Council. My officials recently met with OZEV in respect of ORCS and it confirmed that it is very keen to see individual or collective applications from councils in the North. OZEV also advised that EST has recently acquired an extra resource, which if required, could assist our local councils by providing advice and guidance on the ORCS application process. I can also confirm that following this meeting, my officials have recently met with Derry City and Strabane District Council and a meeting has now been set up with representatives from OZEV, EST, Derry City and Strabane District Council and my Department. I would also re-iterate that this funding cannot be accessed by my Department, it is only available to local councils and it is for them to apply individually or collectively. My officials will continue to make themselves available to local councils to provide assistance, advice and guidance in respect of electric vehicle related matters.

I would also reaffirm that my Department has been leading on the Transport Working Group (TWG), set up to inform the transport elements of the Executive’s Energy Strategy. The Strategy, which is due to be published later this year, will include actions that need to be taken forward if we are to achieve a cleaner, greener transport system. The out workings of the TWG will also include consideration of future requirements for publically available electric vehicle charge points in the North.

I remain committed to working in partnership with Executive colleagues and others across our islands to help deliver a change in the way we travel that also helps us to tackle the climate crisis.