Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the news announced by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, yesterday that a grant scheme will be provided for people who want to upgrade their septic tank. I particularly welcome the fact that it is targeted at people on lower incomes, those with an income under ¤50,000, who will be able to apply for up to 80% of the cost involved and those with a higher income than that will be able to apply for up to 50% of the cost involved. It is a very good scheme. There was considerable scaremongering here and in the other House and across the country when we discussed the registration of septic tanks, which was a requirement to comply with an EU rule that has been in place for many years. I am particularly pleased about this development because it is a matter I and many of my colleagues have been pursuing for up to ten years. This announcement is good news. It will create jobs and if there are problems with systems the required works with help the environment and it will be good for the country in general.