Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2024
356. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can review the criteria for the septic tank grant; if he will acknowledge that many people who want to avail of the grant are not eligible for same as they are not located in the so called “buffer zones”; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8014/24]
View answerThe policy of providing grant funding for remedial work on domestic waste water treatment systems arises from the need to address damage being done to water quality in sensitive areas in particular.
There are three grant schemes available to householders relating to DWWTS, commonly known as septic tank grants. The grants are focused on these areas of greatest environmental priority.
Householders can avail of the grants if their DWWTS has failed an inspection under the National Inspection Plan and an Advisory Notice has been issued, or if the DWWTS is located in either a Prioritised Area for Action or a High Status Objective Catchment Area, as identified in the River Basin Management Plan.
I can confirm that following extensive consultation with key stakeholders in the Rural Water Sector, my Department completed a review of the terms and conditions of the three grants. As a result of the review and the recommendations made, in November 2023 I announced significant improvements to the grants available.
The changes which came into effect from 1 January 2024 are, an increase in the maximum grant amount available to €12,000, up from €5,000 and removal of a requirement to have had the septic tank registered in 2013.
The grants continue to be available only in circumstances relating to risks to water quality and/or human health. I have no plans to make further changes.
