Press release
Minister O’Brien announces increased assistance with cost of removing lead piping in households
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, today (Tuesday, 18 October) announced the launch of an improved Domestic Lead Remediation Grant Scheme with effect from 1 December 2022. The amended provisions will streamline the grant and further assist householders with the cost of the replacement of lead pipes and fittings, located within the boundaries of their homes.
The Domestic Lead Remediation Grant Scheme was introduced in 2016 as a direct action from the National Lead Strategy, “A National Strategy to Reduce Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water”.
Previously the grant was means tested and the level of grant aid available was determined on the basis of gross household income and either 80% or 50% of the approved cost of the works. Following the completion of a review of the scheme, Minister O’Brien approved a number of key changes to the eligibility criteria, which includes a removal of the means test requirement with 100% of eligible costs now payable up to €5,000. Long term rental properties are also included as a qualifying residence. The minimum threshold for expenditure on eligible works to qualify for a grant has also been raised from €200 to €750.
Speaking on the launch today, the Minister said:
"I’m pleased that these changes will widen the availability of this scheme to more homes. The enhanced funding will make the grant more accessible to householders to undertake these works. Removal of lead pipes from the drinking water system is an important public health objective for this government and increasing access to the grant will contribute greatly to achieving this goal."
This grant to remove lead pipes from the private side of the property will further complement Irish Water’s Customer Opt-In programme which helps remove lead pipe connections from the public side of the property.
Commenting further, Minister O’Brien said:
"The use of lead as a plumbing material was common in buildings built before and during the 1970s. We know that lead in drinking water poses a danger to people’s health. Today’s announcement will be a welcome development for many households and I encourage people to consider replacing old lead pipes with the support of this funding. In particular I’d urge people who have purchased older homes and may be renovating to incorporate lead pipe replacement into their renovation plans, utilising this available funding."
The Domestic Lead Remediation Grant Scheme is administered by local authorities on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. It is expected that the improvements to this grant will result in an increase in householders accessing the grant and will contribute to removing the current health risks associated with using lead piping in those homes.
The World Health Organisation and the HSE both advise that there is no safe level of lead and even a short length of lead pipework within a house, or plumbing fittings containing lead, can affect the health of people drinking the water.
The removal of lead pipes from the drinking water system is an important priority for Government. A National Strategy to Reduce Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water, was published in June 2015. This grant scheme was included as an action under the strategy and following this the Domestic Lead Remediation Grant was introduced by the department in 2016.
S.I. No. 56 of 2016, the Domestic Lead Remediation (Financial Assistance) Regulations, provided for payment of grants to support carrying out the replacement of lead pipes and related fittings located within the internal distribution of a house.
Under these previous Regulations, the grant was means tested and the level of grant aid available was determined on the basis of gross household income and either 80% or 50% of the approved cost of the works.
The department undertook a review of the scheme with the aim of increasing access to the grant and ensuring continued alignment with policy objectives, including the National Lead Strategy.
The revised Regulations, signed by the minister, will commence on 1 December 2022, and will introduce changes which will make the grant more accessible to eligible households with lead pipes.
A summary of the key changes are:
In 2016, Irish Water introduced a Customer Opt-In Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme. Under that scheme, where Irish Water customers agree to replace the lead pipes on the private side of their property, Irish Water would replace the lead pipes on the public side of the property free of charge.
Householders who opt for this Irish Water Scheme may also benefit from the department’s improved Domestic Lead Remediation Grant Scheme to assist with replacing the lead pipes on the private side of their property.