LEINSTER House is going to review its prices for TDs and Senators to charge their electric vehicles.
Politicians and staff of the Oireachtas have been benefiting from rates way below market standard.
It follows the introduction of charging stations in the country’s most exclusive car park.
The kWh [kilowatt hour] rate that applies is just 30 cent as compared to rates of between 47 cent and 59 cent for the most commonly used public facilities.
The cheap prices also exclude all costs involved in the provision of the charging facilities with the OPW having footed the bill for that work.
It is understood the Oireachtas is losing money through the subsidised service and have now confirmed a review is underway.
A spokeswoman for Leinster House said: “Increasing the rate charged per kWh for EV charging is now under consideration by the Facilities Management Unit.
“Any increase in the rates would be subject to approval through the proper governance channels, namely the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission.”
The rates being charged are not reflected either in the generous annual travel and accommodation allowances available to TDs and Senators.
This allowance — which ranges between €5,250 and €34,065 per year depending on how far a politician lives from Dublin — is based on civil service mileage rates for petrol or diesel vehicles.
However, no change has been made to reflect the fact that some members are using EVs and offered a facility to charge them at way below market prices.
Asked about whether any consideration had been given to reviewing the allowance payments for users of EVs, the Oireachtas said this wasn’t up to them.
‘ELECTRICITY COSTS WERE NOT RECOUPED’
The spokeswoman said: “The rates set for the payment of Travel and Accommodation Allowance (TAA) is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure.”
The e-charging rates were lower in the past and during an initial two-year trial period, there was no cost at all.
An information note said: “Initially the electricity costs were not recouped.
“It was agreed that we would not recoup from members as members of the public did not have to pay to use ESB EV charging point units at that time.”
