1637. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total expenditure under the domestic wastewater treatment systems grant scheme in each year since its establishment; the number of grants approved and paid in each year; and the average grant amount paid per recipient in each year, in tabular form. [55646/26]

1638. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of expenditure under the domestic wastewater treatment systems grant scheme in each of the past five years; and the number of grants approved and paid in each county in those years, in tabular form. [55647/26]

1639. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected cost to the Exchequer of the recent expansion of eligibility under the domestic wastewater treatment systems grant scheme; the estimated additional number of households expected to qualify; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55648/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1637, 1638 and 1639 together.

Owners of domestic wastewater treatment systems are legally and financially responsible for ensuring that their systems are properly maintained, repaired, upgraded or replaced where necessary so that they do not pose a risk to human health or the environment.

The Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems (DWWTS) Grant Scheme is a targeted support measure to assist eligible homeowners in exceptional circumstances.

I am currently reviewing the Regulations governing the scheme with a view to potentially broadening eligibility while maintaining its targeted environmental and public health focus.

However, the level of additional uptake will depend on the number of applications received and the extent to which individual systems meet the eligibility criteria.

Accordingly, it is not possible at this stage to provide a reliable estimate of the number of additional households that may qualify or the associated Exchequer cost.

Importantly, the amendments do not change the fundamental policy intent of the scheme and do not create an automatic entitlement to grant funding. Eligibility will continue to be assessed against the statutory and administrative requirements of the scheme.

To support prudent financial management of the scheme, an annual funding limit applies. Grant approvals and payments will continue to be managed within the funding available through the annual Estimates process.

The table below sets out, by year, from 2014 to 2025, the number of DWWTS grant payments, the total amount paid and the average amount paid by my Department.

A county-by-county breakdown of DWWTS Grant Scheme expenditure, together with the number of grants approved and paid for the years 2021 to 2025, is provided in the attached table.

DWWTS grant