Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
699. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of septic tank inspections carried out in each local authority area in 2024 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39618/26]
View answer700. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number and percentage of septic tank inspections which failed due to risks to drinking water contamination, groundwater contamination, river pollution, structural defects, maintenance failures and desludging failures respectively, in each of the past five years. [39619/26]
View answer701. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of septic tank advisory notices which remain unresolved for more than six months, one year and two years respectively, by local authority area. [39620/26]
View answer702. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department maintains a national database identifying septic tank failures located near private drinking water wells or public water catchment areas. [39621/26]
View answer703. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of enforcement proceedings initiated by local authorities arising from septic tank inspection failures in each of the past five years. [39622/26]
View answer704. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of prosecutions, fines or legal enforcement actions taken arising from unresolved septic tank inspection failures since 2020. [39623/26]
View answer706. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total funding allocated and drawn down under septic tank remediation grant schemes in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [39625/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 699 to 704, inclusive, and 706 together.
Domestic Wastewater Treatment System (DWWTS) inspections and grant schemes are administered by local authorities, supported by national policy, funding and oversight arrangements provided by my Department and, where appropriate, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA publishes annual national reports which include aggregated information on inspection and compliance outcomes. These reports are available on the EPA website. The detailed operational data sought in relation to inspection numbers by local authority area, inspection failure categories, advisory notices, enforcement actions and prosecutions is held by individual local authorities and is not held centrally in the consolidated format requested.
The following table sets out funding paid under the Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems Grant Scheme in each of the past five years:
|
Year |
Grants paid under NIP* |
Grants paid under HSOCA** |
Grants paid under PAA*** |
Total grants paid |
Total amount paid |
|
2021 |
156 |
8 |
- |
164 |
€753,833 |
|
2022 |
196 |
5 |
10 |
211 |
€981,109 |
|
2023 |
190 |
4 |
- |
194 |
€919,389 |
|
2024 |
240 |
19 |
6 |
265 |
€2,491,337 |
|
2025 |
409 |
34 |
17 |
460 |
€4,772,169 |
* National Inspection Plan
** High Status Objective Catchment Areas
*** Prioritised Areas for Action
My Department continues to work closely with local authorities and the EPA to support the effective inspection, remediation, and management of domestic wastewater treatment systems with the objective of improving water quality outcomes and protecting public health.
