Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2024
381. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider substantially increasing funding to local authorities in order to enable septic tank inspections to be carried out in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21656/24]
View answer395. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the Government has any plans to extend the grants available to upgrade personal septic tanks (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21903/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 395 together.
The policy of providing grant funding to households for work on Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS), including septic tanks, arises from the need to address damage being done to water quality in sensitive areas in particular.
The grants are focused on the areas of greatest environmental priority and are available only in circumstances relating to risks to water quality and/or human health and the environment, and are not general in application.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required, under the Water Services Act 2007, to prepare a National Inspection Plan for the inspection and monitoring of DWWTS. The local authorities, with the support of the EPA, are responsible for the implementation of the plan in their area. The plan sets out the requirement for the minimum number of inspection required nationally as 1,200 per annum and also details that local authorities may also carry out increased numbers of inspections on their own initiative.
I can confirm that my Department does provide funding to cover the reasonable staff costs in the local authorities. However the appointment of DWWTS inspectors is a matter for each local authority and I have no plans to make changes to the current position.
