Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 378: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of recent studies highlighting the problems with septic tanks, he will introduce a grant for their upgrade and revise the level of grant aid available for group sewerage schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21441/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Programme for Government includes a commitment in regard to a scheme of support for the replacement and upgrade of septic tanks older than 15 years with newer systems. While my Department has been examining the conditions which might attach to such a scheme, the timeframe for pursuing this commitment will remain under ongoing review, having regard to current budgetary constraints. My Department has funded a pilot programme to test a range of new, small-scale wastewater collection and treatment systems under Irish conditions, to evaluate new approaches to meeting the wastewater collection and treatment needs of rural communities and to examine the potential role for group sewerage schemes in extending collection systems to households outside the catchment of new or existing public sewerage networks. The performance of new infrastructure provided under the pilot programme is being monitored and evaluated. The National Rural Water Services Committee will report to me on the results as they become available. I will review the future role of group sewerage schemes in the provision of wastewater collection systems and the grants for such schemes in the light of the outcome.