Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
1177. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if there is a grant for the replacement of old septic tanks; if so, if it is available to all households; if a review of previous grants is being prepared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8558/20]
View answerUnder the Domestic Waste Water Treatment System (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013, a grant scheme was introduced to assist owners of premises connected to domestic wastewater treatment systems (more commonly known as septic tanks) with the costs of remediation, repairs and upgrading to or replacement of, such treatment systems where the works arise directly from an inspection and the subsequent issue of an Advisory Notice by the local authority.
The scheme was subject to a means test of gross household income and level of grant aid available was based on either 50% or 80% of the approved costs of works.
In 2019, I approved a new funding scheme under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021 to replace the current grant scheme. In order to ensure greater uniformity with other measures in the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme, the means test that previously applied to this grant scheme is being removed and the level of grant support is being increased to 85% of the eligible costs of installation/upgrade subject to a maximum grant of €5,000 whichever is the lesser. The grant scheme is also being expanded to support the attainment of water quality objectives in what are called ‘high status objective catchment’ water areas and ‘prioritised areas for action’, as identified in the River Basin Management Plan for Ireland 2018-2021.
In recent days I made a number of regulations to give effect to the new Scheme, details of which will be available on my Department's website from today.
