Plans for EV skills centre in Mullingar are ‘paused’
Thomas Lyons
Plans for a national centre for electric vehicle skills in Mullingar have been put on “a pause” in a move described as “hugely disappointing” by a local political representative.
The proposed National eMobility Capability Centre (NeMCC) for Mullingar will now be delayed following an intervention by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, Robert Troy, said moves to standardise regulations on electric vehicles in Europe may be the reason for the suspension of the progress.
The centre was supposed to be a critical component of the state’s response to the green transition, planned to ensure Irish workers are “fully equipped to handle expanding skills requirements of electric vehicles”.
When first mooted in 2023, it was proposed that the e-vehicle training centre would be located at Columb Barracks. The centre was to train people to repair and maintain electric cars, electric bikes, scooters, trucks, buses, vans and heavy goods vehicles.
It was flagged as an important component in the development of the town in a recent meeting by the local authority to discuss the Mullingar Settlement Area Plan.
The matter was raised in the Dáil in February of 2024 when Tánaiste Simon Harris said in a response to a query from Deputy Troy: “I am strongly committed to meeting electro-mobility skills requirements in light of the role of electric vehicles in supporting the achievement of the government’s climate action objectives.
“In that context, my department is continuing to work closely with Longford Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) to establish a national eMobility Capability Centre in Mullingar.”
The project now appears to have encountered a stumbling block. A letter to Minister Troy spoke of “a pause” on the project.
Siobhan Lynch, chief executive of the Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board, said correspondence from the department regarding the proposed centre had slowed plans.
“The chair has asked me to write to inform you that the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has announced a pause on this project,” Ms Lynch said in the letter.
It continued: “Given the department’s public commitment to establishing a National eMobility Capability Centre in Mullingar over two years ago, this delay is likely to be unacceptable to a wide range of stakeholders.”
Ms Lynch said the postponement “risks undermining confidence and momentum at a critical time for the region, LWETB and the further education and training sector”.
She spoke of the action she has taken on the matter: “I have requested an urgent meeting with DFHERIS and SOLAS to express our dissatisfaction and to seek a reversal of this decision and I will update you on the outcome of that meeting.”
Speaking to the Examiner on the development, Minister Troy said: “It’s hugely disappointing to have received correspondence to that effect last week. I have already raised it with Minister Lawless, who is looking into it.”
He said external factors may be responsible for the pause: “My initial feedback is that this is taken on a decision that new standards are being devised in Europe in relation to electric vehicles and those standards won’t be ready for a number of years.
“Some people seem to believe that it could be premature to move ahead. My belief is that you should continue to prepare and be ready for when the standards are published.”
Minister Troy said he will continue to lobby for the location of the Centre in the midlands: “The initial announcement that this was coming to Mullingar may have been premature when we see it can change so quickly. We just need to work to get it back on track.”
Minister Peter Burke said he will also be working on the issue: “I have been in touch with the CEO of LWETB, with SOLAS directly and with the Minister of Further and Higher Education, James Lawless, TD.
“I have requested a meeting with all stakeholders to see if we can find a solution and continue with the important work of getting the centre established. I await developments and will do all I can to progress this project.”
In a statement, the Department of Further and Higher Education said a study highlights that there is no standard for electric vehicle technician training or direct health and safety regulation for working with EVs or high voltage components.
“This means that there is no agreed standard(s) for any training, either existing or new, to meet. Currently, there is work at European level on developing an agreed European standard or technical specification for safe working with high voltage.
“This is through the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation. Recommendations are due to be provided in June 2026 for consideration by member states. Subject to agreement, a European standard or technical specification for safe working with high voltage would then follow.”
The department said until an agreed standard or specification is in place “it is prudent to await that standard/ specification so that training through the Centre reflects agreed best practice for this important area of occupational health and safety”.
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