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Septic Tank Registration Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2013

Tuesday, 12 February 2013

Questions (449, 475, 476, 477)

Tom Fleming

Question:

449. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will extend the closing date for septic tank registration for a period of one month in order to allow households that will have issues with their septic tanks the opportunity of applying for grant aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6686/13]

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David Stanton

Question:

475. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when he expects inspections of septic tanks to begin; if he will provide details of the body responsible for these inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7422/13]

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David Stanton

Question:

476. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the person responsible for the administration of septic tank remediation grants for homes whose septic tanks have failed inspections; if these grants will be paid directly to the householder or to companies carrying out remediation works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7423/13]

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David Stanton

Question:

477. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to septic tank inspections and remediation grants if he will advise if companies wishing to be eligible to carry out remediation works will need to register with a body at national or local level and be approved before being able to carry out such work; if he intends to bring in any controls in order to ensure that price fixing, by companies carrying out remediation works, does not occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7424/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 449 and 475 to 477, inclusive, together.

On 25 June 2012 I signed the Water Services Acts 2007 and 2012 Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Registration) Regulations 2012, prescribing 1 February 2013 as the date by which householders must register their domestic waste water treatment systems. Written and on-line registration facilities, with a variety of payment options, have been available since 26 June 2012 and have been comprehensively publicised. I consider that ample time has been provided to householders to comply with the legal obligation to register and I have no plans to extend the registration period.

On 17 December 2012 I announced my intention to introduce a grant scheme to provide financial assistance to households whose septic tanks and other domestic wastewater treatment systems are deemed to require remediation following an inspection under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012. Full details of the scheme will be defined in regulations which I will make in advance of inspections commencing later this year. Inspections will be carried out by appropriately qualified local authority staff who will be appointed as inspectors by the EPA. A training course for inspectors is currently being finalised and it will be extended to all local authorities in the coming weeks. Inspections will commence later this year and householders will be notified by their local authority in writing if their system is to be inspected.

Where a domestic wastewater treatment system is found to be a risk to human health or the environment and remediation works are required, the selection of a contractor to carry out the works required, and agreement to the cost of those works, will be a matter for the householder concerned. Due to the variety of remediation works which could arise, and the number of trades and professions which could be involved, I have no plans to establish a registration system for contractors involved in remediation works.

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