Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
561. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that a homeowner can take to request an inspection of a registered septic tank in order to avail of a grant for remedial works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42733/22]
View answerUnder the Water Services Acts 2007 and 2012 (Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems) Regulations 2012, the owner of a domestic waste water treatment system is responsible for its maintenance and renewal and shall ensure that its parts and components are fit for purpose, operational where appropriate and kept in good order and repair so as to prevent a risk to human health or the environment.
My Department, under the Rural Water Programme, provides financial assistance towards the remediation, repair or upgrading works to, or the replacement of a domestic waste water treatment system under new and revised grant schemes which launched in June 2020. The schemes are focused on areas of greatest environmental priority rather than general in application. This is in line with Government Policy which is framed in the context of meeting relevant obligations under legislation.
The grant schemes are administered by the local authorities on behalf of my Department and details of the Terms and Conditions for each scheme can be found on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/6cc1e-domestic-waste-water-treatment-systems-septic-tanks
Each local authority has appointed a Rural Water Liaison Officer (RWLO). The RWLO deals with the day to day issues for the Programme and can be contacted at the local authority offices.
