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Irish Times Inside Politics podcast Pat Leahy interviews Fianna Fáil’s Minister Darragh O’Brien about major issues related to his twin ministries, Transport and Climate, Energy and the Environment.
https://www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/inside-politics/darragh-obrien-on-new-help-to-buy-evs-irelands-missed-climate-targets-and-fianna-fails-leadership/ Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, today announced a new limited scheme, designed to accelerate the transition from older, high-emitting internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to cleaner electric vehicles (EVs).
The ICE2EV Scheme will launch on 1 July and be administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). It is a targeted measure to reduce emissions, by removing ICE vehicles aged over 13 years from Ireland’s private car fleet and replacing them with new battery EVs. Minister O’Brien said: “There are almost 235,000 EVs on Irish roads today, and we are on course to reach many multiples of that figure in the coming years. I want to support even more households to switch away from older, more polluting cars and on to electric vehicles. So for anyone considering changing an older car, I encourage you to make the move from ICE to EV. It is a practical and effective step towards reducing emissions and improving air quality across Ireland.” “Older vehicles are among the highest emitters in our transport system, and many households face real financial barriers in moving to cleaner alternatives. ICE2EV is designed to bridge that gap, helping people make the switch while delivering immediate and measurable reductions in emissions.” Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney said: “The ICE2EV scheme provides meaningful financial support to help households move away from older, more expensive-to-run cars and into cleaner electric vehicles. This has clear benefits for transport affordability, air quality, and efficiency of our domestic vehicles, and will contribute to reducing transport emissions. The benefit to rural communities is especially welcome, where we know people depend on cars to get around.” Minister of State with responsibility for Rural Transport Jerry Buttimer said: “ICE2EV is an important step in making electric vehicles more accessible to a wider range of households, particularly in rural communities where car dependency is often greatest. By targeting older, higher-emitting vehicles, we are ensuring that this investment delivers real environmental benefits while supporting people to make a practical and affordable choice for cleaner transport.” William Walsh, CEO at SEAI said: "At SEAI, we've seen first-hand how much of a difference switching to an electric vehicle can make to the cost of running a household, while improving everyone's quality of life through improved air quality and reduced emissions. I really welcome today's announcement, which will help even more people make the change." The initiative is backed by €10 million in funding from the Climate Action Fund under the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. To ensure balanced access, 65% of the funding will be allocated to rural applicants and 35% to urban applicants, based on Central Statistics Office Census 2022 definitions. Eligible applicants can receive €5,000 for the permanent removal of a qualifying ICE vehicle registered in 2013 or earlier. The payment must be used towards the purchase of a new battery electric vehicle. It is additional to the existing €3,500 EV grant administered by the SEAI, bringing total available support up to €8,500 per vehicle. Applicants must demonstrate on the date of application that the ICE vehicle: · has been registered in their name within the State for at least 12 months prior to the application;
ICE2EV is designed to address a persistent emissions challenge within the private car fleet: the continued use of older, high-emitting ICE vehicles, often among households facing financial barriers to transitioning to EVs. By focusing on this segment, the Scheme will help to ensure that the most emissions-intensive vehicles are replaced with zero-emission alternatives, delivering both climate and public health benefits. In addition, Minister O’Brien announced a change in the existing SEAI Electric Vehicle Purchase Grant. The maximum eligible vehicle price threshold for grant will now be €50,000, rather than €60,000. This change has been made to target funding for EV transition towards lower price bracket cars, enabling a greater proportion of the funding available within the National Development Plan to support the roll out of public charging infrastructure. This is in line with the draft EV charging strategy published in February 2026. Minister O’Brien said: “Reducing the price cap ensures that public funding is focused on supporting more affordable electric vehicles and delivers better value for money for taxpayers. It reflects the growing availability of lower-cost EV options and allows us to support a greater number of households in making the transition. It also means we can focus a greater proportion of available funding on rolling out much needed EV charging infrastructure” The amended price threshold will come into place for new applications received after 31 July 2026. It will not affect applications approved or submitted prior to this date, which will continue to be assessed under the current threshold. Further details on ICE2EV, including application processes, will be made available by the SEAI ahead of the launch date. Minister O’Brien announces recipients of €29.5 million for successful Community Climate Projects21/5/2026
Second phase of Community Climate Action Programme will drive local climate action First phase already supported 650 nationwide projects, with funding of €27 million Additional funding of €2.6 million secured for Reserve Projects At a launch event in Cherry Orchard Football Club today, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien, has announced the successful projects awarded funding under Phase 2 of the Community Climate Action Programme, alongside an additional €2.6 million in funding to support further high-quality projects from local authority reserve lists. The announcement forms part of the Government’s continued investment in community-led climate action through the Climate Action Fund (CAF), with almost €27 million (over €26.9 million) being made available to local authorities to support communities in building low-carbon, sustainable futures. The newly announced and additional €2.6 million allocation will enable additional large projects, identified by local authorities through reserve lists, to proceed in the coming months. Successful projects under this additional funding stream will be communicated to local authorities today. Announcing the funding, Minister O’Brien said: “Communities across Ireland are leading the way in climate action, delivering practical projects that reduce emissions, strengthen local resilience and improve quality of life. I am delighted to announce the successful projects under this latest phase of the Community Climate Action Programme, and to provide a further €2.6 million to ensure even more of these ambitious community projects can move forward. “This programme empowers communities to take meaningful local action on climate change, while also contributing to our national climate and energy goals. The scale of interest and quality of applications received demonstrates the commitment of communities nationwide to building a cleaner, more sustainable future.” Community climate action – ‘learning by doing’: The Community Climate Action Programme supports projects and initiatives that facilitate community climate action through education, capacity building and ‘learning by doing’. Projects funded under Phase 1 of the programme: Phase 1 of the programme has supported approximately 650 community climate action projects nationwide through funding of €24 million. Projects funded under the programme have delivered a wide range of benefits for communities, including reduced energy costs, enhanced biodiversity, wildlife restoration, improved local amenities and stronger community engagement. Ambition for Phase 2: Phase 2 of the programme will see local authorities continue partnering directly with community groups to deliver projects that contribute to Ireland’s climate and energy targets, while supporting communities to scale up local climate action initiatives. Projects supported under the programme address five key themes:
The programme is administered through the network of Community Climate Action Officers (CCAOs) in local authorities, who provide guidance, support and practical assistance to communities – seeking to become lower-carbon and more sustainable. The list of successful projects is available at this link: CCAP Details on the Phase 2 (Strand 1) funding allocated to each of the local authorities: Confirmed figures. Local Authority Local Authority Original Allocation Carlow County Council € 381,068.08 Cavan County Council € 489,000.00 Clare County Council € 649,000.00 Cork City Council € 967,058.00 Cork County Council € 1,394,574.92 Donegal County Council € 772,250.00 Dublin City Council € 2,177,296.00 Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council € 993,011.00 Fingal County Council € 1,303,699.85 Galway City Council € 500,550.90 Galway County Council € 858,575.72 Kerry County Council € 739,226.58 Kildare County Council € 991,941.63 Kilkenny County Council € 577,659.00 Laois County Council € 519,164.27 Leitrim County Council € 343,999.00 Limerick City & County Council € 887,575.89 Longford County Council € 333,781.00 Louth County Council € 592,824.10 Mayo County Council € 678,568.33 Meath County Council € 910,459.72 Monaghan County Council € 437,892.90 Offaly County Council € 501,831.35 Roscommon County Council € 473,508.16 Sligo County Council € 455,518.00 South Dublin County Council € 455,518.00 Tipperary County Council € 806,151.45 Waterford City and County Council € 631,218.95 Westmeath County Council € 542,378.89 Wexford County Council € 746,066.50 Wicklow County Council € 766,469.36 Earlier this year, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien announced a range of new and expanded measures under the New Residential Retrofitting Plan.
These new measures included:
Minister O’Brien commented: “I am delighted to announce the new grant rates for Approved Housing Bodies and households at risk of energy poverty participating in Community upgrade projects. In the Programme for Government we committed to take decisive action to provide warmer, more comfortable homes – as part of our drive to support energy affordability, security, and sustainability. “In the first quarter of the year, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) data shows a very positive upward trend with clear evidence of growth in both demand and output. The retrofit sector is mobilising and responding to the growing interest in energy upgrades underpinned by SEAI grant support. Applications to SEAI for individual home energy upgrades are up 186% on Q1 2025, and overall applications are up 96%. “The National Energy Affordability Taskforce, will identify, assess and implement measures to enhance energy affordability for households. This work includes examining how to support increased uptake of home energy efficiency upgrades and continued development of the SEAI retrofit schemes in line with commitments in the Programme for Government.” CEO of the SEAI William Walsh said: “These increased grants to Approved Housing Bodies and private, energy poor homes taking part in our community grant scheme, will make a big difference to those that need it most, giving them more control and security over their energy costs. This is how we reduce bills in the long-term — by breaking the link between the costs of running a household and volatile international fossil fuel markets. At SEAI we are here to help, no matter what stage a person is at. I really welcome the Minister's announcement today, which further adds to what is already available to help our most vulnerable.” The new grant rates being made available today will support Approved Housing Bodies to upgrade some of their worst performing homes and switch to heat pumps. It will also support the upgrade of more multi-unit developments in Approved Housing Body ownership. New National Residential Retrofit Plan The new National Residential Retrofit Plan (2026) was launched in January. It phased in a range new, more affordable measures. Applications to SEAI so far in 2026 (year-on-year) have doubled. Over 29,000 applications were processed between January and March. These applications included:
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, have confirmed that the Road Transporters Support Scheme will open tomorrow (Wednesday 20 May) for applications.
The RTSS was announced by Government last month and supports the road transport sector in recognition of its essential role in Ireland’s supply chains, for businesses and in providing essential connectivity across both urban and rural communities. The Scheme provides financial support to licenced hauliers, the own account sector, and commercial coach operators to help meet the challenges posed by increased fuel costs arising from the war in the Middle East. Minister O’Brien said: “I am pleased to announce that the application portal for the Road Transporters Support Scheme will open on the Department of Transport’s website at 12 noon tomorrow, Wednesday 20 May. The application form will be accessible until 12 noon on Friday 12 June. I urge you to submit your application as soon as possible.” Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney said: “The last few weeks have been challenging for the haulage and coach sector. The RTSS will support hauliers and transport operators to face these challenges and continue to play their vital role in our economy. In recognition of this, we have made the application process as simple as possible for applicants.” The Scheme will be administered by the Department of Transport and the application form will be accessible on the Department’s website tomorrow. Full details of the terms and conditions, State Aid rules, and data processing requirements will also be provided at the time of the application system going live. Notes to the Editor The Scheme will open for applications at 12 noon on Wednesday 20 May. The portal for applications will be on the Department of Transport’s website www.gov.ie/transport and will go live at that time. It will remain open until 12 noon on Friday 12 June 2026. Payments will be made based on the number of vehicles owned by qualifying operators. Payment Vehicles Band €1,350 per vehicle up to and including 5 vehicles per operator €790 per vehicle for vehicles 6 to 20 per operator €300 per vehicle €300 per vehicle for vehicles 21+ Full eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, and information on State Aid rules will also be published at the same time. It is the responsibility of applicants to ensure that they provide all the required information to process their application. Failure to do so will result in applicants being excluded from the Scheme. |
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May 2026
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