Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2026
171. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of septic tank inspections carried out in County Louth under the National Inspection Plan 2022-2026, in each of the years from its inception to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38233/26]
View answer172. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number LAWPRO requests for septic tank inspection were made to Louth County Council when they were working in a Priority Area for Action in 2024 and 2025; the number of these requests that were granted in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38234/26]
View answer173. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number grants given, from all funding streams available through his Department, to residents of County Louth in 2024 and 2025 for septic tank inspections and septic tank repairs, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38235/26]
View answer174. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which homeowners who require access to grant funding for septic tank inspections and septic tank repairs can access this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38236/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 171 to 174, inclusive, together.
Grant support is available in specific circumstances where defective Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS), including septic tanks, pose a significant risk to the environment or public health. This is an exception to the general rule whereby property owners remain responsible for ensuring that their systems are properly maintained and for meeting associated maintenance and repair costs.
Grants are targeted at priority areas, including where a system has failed an inspection under the National Inspection Plan and an Advisory Notice has issued, or where a dwelling is located in an area identified as particularly vulnerable to the impacts of defective systems, including Priority Areas for Action and High Status Objective Catchment Areas.
Homeowners seeking to access grant support should apply through the relevant local authority, which administers the scheme on behalf of my Department.
A review of the grant scheme has recently been completed and I have approved amendments to provide for additional locations to be designated as priority areas for support under the scheme. Funding will continue to be made available according to environmental and public health priorities and will not be accessible on demand. My Department is currently finalising the revised regulations to give effect to the changes and it is expected that the revised arrangements will come into effect shortly.
Detailed operational data relating to inspections carried out under the National Inspection Plan, LAWPRO referrals and grant applications received is held by the relevant local authority. The information requested in relation to County Louth may therefore be obtained directly from Louth County Council.
My Department did not receive any applications for payment from Louth County Council under the Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems grant scheme in 2024 or in 2025.
