Announcement coming early next month on EV centre of excellence for Mullingar

Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris is due to make an announcement in the coming weeks on the plans to develop a centre of excellence for electric vehicle technicians in Mullingar.

Replying to a recent parliamentary question from Deputy Robert Troy, Minister Harris said that preliminary work on the project is continuing in the background with Longford Westmeath ETB playing a central role.

"LWETB have a long history of delivering quality education provision and apprenticeship programmes in the midlands region, with a particular focus on skilled craft training in motor mechanics. As such they are a key partner in leading on the requirement for EV technicians.

"Longford Westmeath ETB have now submitted to SOLAS a proposal for the development of an Electric Mobility Capability Centre in Mullingar. The proposal provides for a staged approach to development, beginning with the establishment of an eMobility project office within LWETB to drive development of the capability centre itself.

"Just last week, SOLAS submitted recommendations based on this business case to my department. These recommendations are now under consideration by my Department.

"On that basis, I expect to make an announcement regarding the Centre and its future development in Mullingar early next month which will be an important milestone on our climate action journey."

Earlier in the year, also in reply to a parliamentary question by Deputy Troy, Minister Harris said that he was “very committed “to making sure that an EV centre of excellence is established at Columb Barracks.

However,, local sources have recently suggested that an alternative location in Mullingar may be used for the EV centre.