Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
943. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to outline the current septic tank inspection regime; and if there are any plans to open the grant up to more people or review this regime at all. [38893/23]
View answerUnder Section 70K of the Water Services Act 2007 (as amended), the Environmental Protection Agency is required to prepare a national plan for the inspection and monitoring of septic tanks which the local authorities are authorised to implement within their areas.
My Department provides financial support though grant funding to assist householders to carry out works to repair or upgrade defective septic tanks. The grant schemes are focused on the areas of greatest environmental priority rather than general in application.
I can confirm that my Department has recently completed a review of the grant schemes available. As part of the review, my Department consulted extensively with relevant stakeholders including convening a focused workshop with local authority staff administering the grant. As a result of the review and taking account of the views of stakeholders I intend to make changes to the operation of the grants.
