Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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274. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the eSPSV grant is due to reopen for applications in 2024; and if so, if the eligibility requirements will remain the same as in the 2023 round of the scheme. [1361/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme is in place to support the greening of the SPSV, or taxi, sector. It is aimed at improving air quality in urban areas, reducing the CO2 emissions of a sector which typically has very high mileage, and also can positively influence the uptake of zero emission passenger cars by improving general perception and awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles.

The SPSV industry is regarded as a champion in the normalisation of electric vehicle use. The Scheme is funded by the Department of Transport and administered by NTA acting as agents of the Department with delegated authority and as the licensing authority for SPSVs.

The 2024 Scheme is expected to open for applications in the coming weeks on a similar operating basis as the 2023 Scheme. The Scheme, as with all ZEVI schemes, is kept under continuous review to ensure alignment with policy.