Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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660. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the provision of a new grant scheme to upgrade domestic septic tanks; his views on the fact that work on the new scheme has been at an advanced stage for some time with no information forthcoming; when it is expected the new scheme will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51229/19]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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I approved a new funding scheme for on-site wastewater treatment systems (more commonly known as septic tanks) under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme to replace the current grant which was brought into operation by the Domestic Waste Water Treatment System (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013.

In developing the necessary regulatory and administrative changes to underpin the revised and improved grants scheme, my Department has over recent months met and consulted with key stakeholders, including the County and City Management Association, the Local Authority Waters Programme and the Environmental Protection Agency.

My Department also required legal advice in relation to the drafting of the regulations which are required for the new grant scheme. I am advised that this process is almost complete and I hope to make an announcement on the commencement of the new scheme very shortly.