Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2026
499. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of domestic wastewater treatment system inspections carried out in each local authority area in each of the years 2023, 2024, and to-date in 2026; and the failure rate identified in each year. [49452/26]
View answer502. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of applications, approvals, and payments made under the domestic wastewater treatment systems grant scheme in each of the past five years. [49457/26]
View answer503. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the current maximum grant of €12,000 adequately reflects the full cost of upgrading or replacing defective domestic wastewater treatment systems. [49458/26]
View answer504. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration is being given to increasing the grant ceiling or coverage rate beyond 85% in light of rising construction costs for wastewater treatment systems. [49459/26]
View answer508. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households currently reliant on septic tanks or similar systems; and the projected trends over the next decade. [49466/26]
View answer509. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether additional technical or financial supports are available for homeowners in rural areas to maintain or upgrade their wastewater systems. [49468/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 499, 502, 503, 504, 508 and 509 together.
The Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems (DWWTS) Grant Scheme provides financial assistance to householders where a defective domestic wastewater treatment system is identified as posing a risk to the environment or to human health, subject to the eligibility criteria of the scheme.
The scheme is kept under ongoing review by my Department. The maximum grant was increased from €5,000 to €12,000 in January 2024, with assistance available at up to 85% of eligible costs. I have no plans at present to amend the maximum grant or the rate of assistance.
The number of domestic wastewater treatment system inspections carried out, and associated failure rates, are not held centrally by my Department. This information is held by the individual local authorities, which provide returns to the Environmental Protection Agency for the purposes of national reporting and publication.
Information on applications and approvals under the scheme is held by the individual local authorities.
Payment data under the scheme is set out in the table below.
