Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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111. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the expected number of inspections on waste water treatment systems in 2013 and 2014; the expected failure rate and estimated amount of money to be spent on remedial grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33771/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 assigns responsibility to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make a National Inspection Plan for domestic wastewater treatment systems. The National Inspection Plan 2013: Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems was adopted and published by the EPA in February 2013. The Plan provides for a minimum of 1,000 inspections to be carried out by the water services authorities (the 34 county and city councils ) in the 12 month period commencing in July 2013 . Details of the minimum number of inspections for each council area are included in the Plan. The EPA has indicated that it will review the Plan in 2014.

It is not possible at this time to estimate what the failure rate for inspections might be or how much will be spent on remedial grants. However, based on the number of inspections to be carried out and the grant amounts that I have provided for in the Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013, I am satisfied that there is adequate provision in my Department’s Vote for this purpose.