John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Substantial funding towards local authorities' water conservation programmes, including the replacement of old pipe work in the public supply network, is provided under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme. The Programme does not extend to funding or providing grants for replacement of individual services connections or other measures relating to single households or premises. Only the replacement of lead connections on the public supply side is eligible for funding from my Department.

Water services legislation provides that the owner of a premises is responsible for ensuring that the internal water distribution system is capable of delivering drinking water that complies with drinking water standards. This is similar to the provision of an electricity supply to a house where the internal wiring is the responsibility of the owner or occupants, not the supplier. However, other grant schemes, namely the suite of Housing Adaptation Grant Schemes for Older People and People with a Disability, may facilitate necessary grant assistance being provided in appropriate cases. It is a matter for individual local authorities to determine what works, including replacement of lead supply pipes, are eligible and to prioritise these in line with their systems of prioritisation.