Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien has unveiled two new initiatives aimed at accelerating Ireland’s transition to a zero-emission future. These initiatives will expand the national EV recharging network and enhance support for businesses adopting electric heavy-duty vehicles.
Applications are now open for Phase 3 of the ZEVI-TII EV Recharging Infrastructure LDV National Road Grant Scheme. The latest phase will focus on installing high-powered recharging stations along 3,000km of national primary and secondary roads, ensuring that EV drivers have reliable access to charging points across the country.
The scheme aims to significantly boost Ireland’s EV recharging capacity by focusing on:

• Targeted Locations: Public recharging facilities within 3km of national roads, including petrol stations, car parks and supermarkets
• Funding: Investments in high-powered EV recharging pools
• Rapid roll-out: Enabling accelerated delivery of widespread recharging infrastructure.

Minister O’Brien said: “This expansion reinforces our commitment to enhancing charging capacity across Ireland’s EV network. It will ensure drivers have the confidence to go electric, knowing they’ll have reliable access to fast charging wherever they travel.”
For application details, visit www.tii.ie.
To support the decarbonisation of Ireland’s freight and logistics sector, Minister O’Brien also announced an expansion to the ZEHDV Purchase Grant Scheme.
The expanded ZEHDV-I Scheme will include depot and logistics recharging infrastructure grants, so businesses can now access funding for recharging stations at depots, logistics hubs and commercial premises. The scheme will be open to all businesses, including those that don’t currently own a ZEHDV.
Minister O’Brien said: “By supporting both vehicle purchases and the necessary charging infrastructure, we’re enabling businesses to decarbonise efficiently. “These initiatives mark a significant step forward in Ireland’s commitment to a sustainable, zero-emission transport network—providing drivers and businesses with the support they need to embrace a cleaner future.”
Peter Walsh, the Chief Executive of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), who partner with ZEVI Ireland to administer the scheme, said: “TII will continue to support this important initiative led by Minister O’Brien and the Department of Transport.  Expanding Ireland’s EV infrastructure will help to create a sustainable transportation network for all road users.”
For details on the scheme, visit www.tii.ie.

Local Fianna Fáil Minister Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the announcement that two new special classes will be introduced in Swords for the 2025/2026 school year, providing much-needed support for students with complex special educational needs.
 
Thornleigh Educate Together National School, and Swords Community College have all been approved to establish new special classes, ensuring that more children can access the education they need in a supportive environment.
 
Following the announcement, Minister O’Brien said, "I am delighted to receive confirmation that these three schools in Swords will be opening new special classes next year. This is an important step in ensuring that children with additional needs have the opportunity to learn and thrive in an inclusive setting within their local community.
 
"More classes are expected to be announced soon, which will further enhance our ability to meet the needs of students requiring extra support. 
 
"Ensuring access to quality education for every child remains a top priority for Fianna Fáil in Government. I will continue to work closely with local schools, families, and the Department to secure further investment in special education across Swords and beyond."

The Department of Transport has today proudly launched the new HGV Eco Driving Standard, a significant step toward supporting more sustainable and efficient driving practices within the heavy goods vehicle (HGV) sector. 
 
The HGV Eco Driving Standard aims to improve driving efficiency and reduce environmental impact through a comprehensive set of guidelines and best practices for HGV eco 
driving courses. This new standard focuses on reducing fuel consumption, enhancing energy management, and improving maintenance efficiencies, thereby helping reduce costs for a sector that is key to economic activity in Ireland.
 
The standard was developed by the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT) for the Department of Transport.
 
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said: “The introduction of the HGV Eco Driving Standard is an important development in our efforts to create a more sustainable transport sector. By adopting these practices, we can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the existing vehicle fleet and promote a greener future for Ireland.”
 
Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Seán Canney, added: “This new standard not only supports our environmental goals but also enhances the efficiency and safety of HGV operations. We encourage all training providers to consider applying to achieve the standard and contribute to a more sustainable transport industry.”
 
The HGV Eco Driving Standard is voluntary and open to all training providers who wish to apply. There is no cost to training providers for the evaluation and certification. The Freight Transport Association Ireland (FTAI) has been approved as a HGV Eco Driving Training Provider, following assessment under the standard. 
 
Providers can contact CILT for more information on the application process. For more details, please visit CILT’s website or contact [email protected].
 
The new standard was launched on the same day as the Road Haulage Strategy Stakeholder Session, which was held in the Department of Transport. The strategy runs from 2022 to 2031 and focuses on generating efficiencies, improving standards, securing jobs and helping the road freight sector move to a low-carbon future.
 
The new Ministers were pleased to meet stakeholders from the road freight sector and hear about ongoing implementation of the strategy. The new standard marks an important step for the sector as it transitions to an environmentally sustainable and operationally effective future.

Minister for Education Helen McEntee and Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Darragh O’Brien have encouraged schools nationwide to apply for the Solar for Schools Programme before the deadline of Friday 7 March and avail of a potential opportunity to reduce their electricity costs through the use of renewable energy.
 
The ministers welcomed the strong uptake of the programme to date, with all counties now eligible for the scheme.
 
The scheme provides eligible schools with a 6 kilowatt peak of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 14 solar panels.
 
Minister for Education Helen McEntee said:
 
"Communities up and down the country have started to see solar panels on school rooftops, a sign of the strong uptake of the Solar for Schools Programme.
 
“This Programme offers an opportunity for schools to reduce their carbon emissions and energy costs, as well as providing daily data to schools and students on their consumption. The deadline for schools to express their interest has been extended until Friday 7 March, and I strongly encourage all schools to sign up. My Department’s new online platform, School Hub, will make the application process as streamlined as possible for schools.”
 
Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Darragh O’Brien said:
 
“I am delighted that my Department is supporting the Department of Education in expanding the Solar for Schools Programme through the Climate Action Fund. By opening the programme to all remaining eligible schools, we are building on the success of the pilot phase, which has already helped schools reduce energy costs and decrease their reliance on fossil fuels. This initiative is a significant step towards creating a more sustainable and energy efficient future for our schools.”
 
Since the launch of the programme in November 2023, more than 3,290 schools have been approved to progress to tender for installation of PV panels with more than 1,040 installations confirmed as completed so far.
 
The second and final phase is open for applications to all eligible schools nationwide, with the deadline extended to Friday 7 March.
 
The second phase has seen significant interest since it opened for applications on in November, with a total of 757 schools approved for funding in this phase to date.
 
Notes to Editors
The Solar for Schools Programme is wholly funded by the Government’s Climate Action Fund in line with the Government’s recognition that taking action on climate change is central to Ireland’s social and economic development. It is assisting schools in reducing their energy costs and carbon footprint as part of the schools’ sector’s response to meeting the 2030 and 2050 climate targets.
 
The solar PV panels in schools are being connected to the electricity grid, so that solar energy can power other homes and businesses when schools are closed at weekends and during school holidays.
 
The typical amount a school can save will depend on a number of factors. However, by way of example, a school with a 6 kW Solar PV installation could expect to save in the region of €1,200-1,600 per annum on their bill, including credit for their electricity export.
 
The overall programme will see up to 24 megawatts of installed renewable energy provision on schools with associated savings in the region of €5.5 million per year across 4,000 schools.
 
The new scheme is designed to be as streamlined as possible for schools using an online system to facilitate communications with schools. In this regard the Department of Education has set up School Hub, a new online platform that is part of the department’s geographic information system (GIS).
 
The online platform provides a simple, clear and efficient application and approvals process for schools applying for the Solar for Schools Programme. Schools will be required to seek five quotes from suppliers and apply for funding approval to the Department of Education via the School Hub.
 
The Climate Action Fund was established on a statutory basis in 2020 to provide support for projects, initiatives and research that contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s climate and energy targets, and for projects and initiatives in regions of the State, and within sectors of the economy, impacted by the transition to a low carbon economy. The Fund supports projects that would not otherwise be undertaken.
 
The Fund is resourced from a number of sources, including official air travel emissions offsets and proceeds from the levy paid to the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) in respect of relevant disposals of petroleum products, after the funding requirements of NORA have been met.

Minister for Transport and Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy and TD for Fingal East Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the announcement of a targeted reopening of the 2025 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector which has been announced to deal only with growers proposing investments in response to the damage caused by Storm Éowyn. This initiative provides vital financial support to horticultural businesses, fostering sustainability, innovation, and growth within the sector and has now been reopened to those who were adversely affected by the storm.
“This swift response from government to the unprecedented damage caused to the horticulture sector by Storm Éowyn should give some comfort to those affected. The storm caused unequalled levels of damage for some growers in the horticulture sector, including the loss of vital growing infrastructure such as polytunnels and glasshouses.
“In the aftermath, many horticultural enterprises faced challenges due to power outages and structural damages. This investment aid scheme will assist these businesses in rebuilding and enhancing their operations, ensuring resilience against future climatic events.
“The horticulture sector is vital to Fingal East, supporting local employment, food production and economic growth. Investment in this sector enhances sustainability and ensures a stable supply of produce for both local and national markets.”
 
-ENDS-
 
Note to editors: For more details on the scheme and application procedures, visit https://www.gov.ie/en/service/6f786-2025-scheme-of-investment-aid-for-the-development-of-the-commercial-horticulture-sector/