To ask the Minister for Infrastructure what measures her Department is taking to enable better take up by local councils of the Office for Zero Emission Vehicle's On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme.

The British Government has made £20 million in grant funding available to local authorities/councils in GB-NI during 2021-22 to provide charge points for residents without off-street parking. I continue to encourage our councils to make an application for funding.

I have recently written to councils advising them that I have made available match-funding of circa £350k, subject to public expenditure processes, from within my Department’s Blue Green Fund to assist local councils making an application to the On-street Residential Charge Point Scheme (ORCS).

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. Accessing the funding, from the Blue Green Fund is dependent on our councils submitting a successful ORCS application. Therefore, should a council make a successful application to ORCS for 75% funding, the 25% match from my Blue Green Fund will mean that the capital costs are fully covered.

I am delighted that Derry City and Strabane District Council has volunteered to take the lead in a Council Consortium to develop an application for ORCS funding. My Department is represented, in an advisory capacity, on the ORCS council consortium and my officials will continue to make themselves available to local councils to provide support, advice and guidance.

You will also be aware, I have recently announced the establishment of an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Task-Force, which comprises key organisations with a role to play in this area, including local government.

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.