Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Heritage and Local Government his plans to introduce a grant to upgrade septic tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6725/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The introduction of a grants scheme for any purpose must be managed within current budgetary constraints. In so far as support for the upgrading of septic tanks is concerned, this matter is under review in my Department, in the context of the finalisation of legislative proposals to respond to a 2009 judgment of the European Court of Justice. The court ruled that Ireland had failed to adopt the necessary legislation to comply with Articles 4 and 8 of Council Directive 75/442/EEC, known as the waste directive, regarding domestic waste waters disposed of in the countryside through septic tanks and other individual waste water treatment systems.

I will bring finalised proposals to Government very shortly in order to address the judgment. These are likely to require owners or occupiers of premises utilising septic tanks and other on-site waste water treatment systems to have their system inspected by a suitably qualified competent person to ensure that the system has been installed correctly and complies with prescribed standards of operation. I expect that it will also be a requirement that treatment systems be maintained and de-sludged in accordance with manufacturers' instructions.