Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013
458. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider introducing a grant scheme for persons with existing septic tanks who wish to connect into main public sewerage schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25062/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 17 December 2012 I announced my intention to introduce a grant scheme to provide financial assistance to households whose septic tanks and other domestic wastewater treatment systems are deemed to require remediation following an inspection under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012. The grant scheme will only apply to treatment systems which are the subject of an Advisory Notice issued by a water services authority following an inspection carried out under the 2012 Act and based on the EPA’s risk-based inspection plan. Full details of the scheme will be set down in regulations which I will make in advance of inspections commencing later this year.
In December 2012 I also announced an increase in the grant for group sewerage schemes, which generally involves connections to public sewer networks, to €6,500 per house or 75% of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser. The previous rate of grant available was €2,031.58 per house or 75% of the cost, whichever was the lesser. My Department asked local authorities to include in their requests for funding under the 2013 Rural Water Programme proposals for group sewerage schemes which might be viable based on the increased grant. Following an examination of the proposals received, with particular regard to the environmental justification provided, I approved grant assistance in last March towards a number of these pilot schemes. Progress on the selected pilot schemes will be reviewed in due course with a view to deciding how best to proceed with the grant scheme.
