Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 June 2026
131. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of domestic wastewater treatment systems that have failed inspection in each of the past three years; the counties most affected; and the supports available to homeowners to undertake remedial works. [44226/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of domestic wastewater treatment systems (septic tanks) that have failed inspection in each of the past three years, and the counties most affected, is information held by individual local authorities in the context of their inspection and enforcement functions. My Department does not maintain a centralised dataset of this information.
The Environmental Protection Agency also publishes aggregated national and local authority-level data based on returns from local authorities under the National Inspection Plan.
The responsibility for the proper operation, maintenance and upkeep of domestic wastewater treatment systems rests with the owner of the system.
A Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems (Septic Tanks) Grant Scheme is available in exceptional circumstances to provide financial assistance towards the cost of necessary remedial works where systems are found to be defective and where the relevant eligibility criteria and scheme requirements are met. The scheme is administered by local authorities on behalf of my Department.
Full details of the scheme, including eligibility criteria and grant levels, are available on my Department’s website at the following link www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/group-water-schemes-and-rural-water-issues/ .
