Last week in the Chamber, I welcomed the Government's plan to introduce 1 million electrically propelled vehicles by 2030. However, I complained about the lack of the power points around the country, with approximately 1,200 installed at present, and I also complained about the cost of installing these operation points. ESB ecars has received €37 million since 2010, which works out at approximately €30,000 per power point.

I have been contacted by many people who drive electric cars. Currently, there are approximately 10,000 electric cars in this country and at least 1,500 need new batteries. Their owners have been quoted between €10,000 and €12,000 to replace the batteries, which can be bought in the USA for approximately $3,000. There are grants available for new batteries. In the forthcoming budget, we need to encourage people to buy electric cars. There is a shortage of electric points and batteries are a serious cost. What is Minister's plan to encourage people to buy these electric cars?

There is no doubt we need to expand the number of public chargers. There are currently approximately 700 and I have made commitments not only to upgrade them but to increase the number to 1,800 through both the local authorities and the ESB, and we have made financial provision for that.

The issue the Deputy raises about financial support for new batteries certainly has not been considered. We have committed to examine a scrappage scheme. There are generous supports for the purchase of an electric vehicle and these include a grant of €5,000, a VRT reduction of €5,000, a home charger subsidy and a discount on tolls. We are seeing a growing adoption of these and it is important we continue. I will look at that but I cannot hold out hope that we will support grants for second-hand batteries.