To ask the Minister for Infrastructure when her Department intends to fix the e-charge point in Cromac Street carpark, Belfast.

The e-car public charge point network in the North is owned, operated and maintained by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB). Most of the public charge points were installed in 2011/12 and ESB has advised that there are reliability issues with some of the charge points. ESB recently identified charge points for replacement and has advised that it hopes to roll out a replacement programme commencing mid-2020. You may wish to contact ESB at ecars@esb.ie for assistance. Now that you have bought the issue of this e-charge point to my attention, I have also asked my officials to contact ESB to enquire as to when it will be fixed.

I fully recognise the importance of having modern, reliable public electric vehicle charging infrastructure in providing confidence for users of ultra-low emission vehicles and in respect of the connectivity improvements this would bring. I have met with the DAERA Minister to begin working collaboratively to promote the use of electric vehicles and specifically to improve the charge point network across Northern Ireland.