Lead Remediation Grant

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has put a grant scheme in place to reduce exposure to lead in domestic drinking water.

The purpose of this scheme is to assist owners of premises connected to a domestic water supply with the costs of replacing lead piping or related fittings located within the internal distribution system of the premises, as defined in the Water Services Act 2007. The premises concerned must be occupied by the applicant as his or her principal private residence.

The new eligibility conditions in the revised grant include:

  • Removal of the means test requirement
  • Introduction of a uniform grant rate of 100% of the eligible costs of the replacement of any such lead pipes and/or related fittings, or €5,000, whichever is the lower
  • An additional eligible cost can be claimed to a maximum of €200 for the provision of a certificate from a laboratory or notification from a registered building professional, as outlined at (b) and (c) above. This cost is to be included in the calculation of the maximum eligible cost total of €5,000. Note, any indirect costs incurred by the applicant themselves are not eligible costs
  • The house concerned must be occupied by the applicant as their normal place of residence
  • Minimum expenditure on eligible works in order to qualify for a grant is €750
  • For the purposes of this scheme, in relation to the replacement of lead pipes or related fittings, the approved cost means the cost estimated by the local authority to be the reasonable cost of carrying out the replacement works or the actual cost of carrying out the works, whichever is the lesser
  • Each claim for a grant must be accompanied by an original receipt for the total amount paid from each contractor engaged for the purpose of the remediation works. The receipt provided must include an itemised list of the works carried out and the associated costs for each item
  • Each claim must also include certification from the contractor engaged to carry out the works that any materials used, including pipes and fittings, are of appropriate quality and that a proper standard of workmanship has been applied in the course of the works
  • In order for eligible receipts to be reimbursed to the applicant by the local authority, the tax clearance status of the contractor must be up to date.

The guidelines below may offer useful information to homeowners on the replacement of water supply pipes made of lead.

Completed application forms should be returned to:

Sligo County Council
Water Services Section,
Old Jail,
St. Anne’s Place,
Sligo.
F91 VW35.

Phone: 071 911 1370

Email: waterservices@sligococo.ie 

 

Sligo County Council Claim form – Domestic Lead Remediation Grant Scheme (PDF) - 140 kbs  PDF
Chomhairle Contae Shligigh - Foirm éilimh – Scéim Deontais um Fheabhsúchán Luaidhe Tí (PDF) - 116 kbs  PDF
Domestic Lead Remediation Grant Scheme - Frequently asked questions (PDF) - 655 kbs  PDF
Scéim Deontais um Leasúchán Luaidhe Baile - Ceisteanna coitianta (PDF) - 574 kbs  PDF
Domestic Lead Remediation Grant Scheme - Customer Leaflet (PDF) - 1,242 kbs  PDF
Scéim Deontais um Leasúchán Luaidhe Baile - Bileog do Chustaiméirí (PDF) - 1,209 kbs  PDF
Replacement of Lead Supply Pipes - Guidance Note (PDF) - 288 kbs  PDF

Please note that Irish Water have introduced a Customer Opt-In Lead Pipe Replacement Scheme.  Where Irish Water customers agree to replace lead pipes on the customer side of the property, Irish Water will replace the lead pipes on the public side of the property.  However, in order to avail of the customer opt-in scheme the customer must apply to Irish Water before their own plumber carries out any work. 

Full details of this scheme can be found on the Irish Water website www.water.ie/lead.