Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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271. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to provide financial supports to households that need to replace their septic tanks but are outside of the specified priority areas or have not had their tanks inspected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7154/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Water Services Acts 2007 and 2012 (Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems) Regulations 2012, the owner of a domestic waste water treatment system is responsible for its maintenance and renewal and shall ensure that its parts and components are fit for purpose, operational where appropriate, kept in good order and repair so as to prevent a risk to human health or the environment.

My Department provides financial assistance towards the remediation, repair or upgrading works to, or the replacement of a domestic waste water treatment system under new and revised grant schemes which launched in June 2020. The schemes are focused on areas of greatest environmental priority rather than general in application. This is in line with Government Policy which is framed in the context of meeting relevant obligations under legislation. The grant schemes are administered by the local authorities on behalf of my Department.

In implementing the revised arrangements, my Department has undertaken to conduct a review of the grant schemes, to ensure their continued alignment with policy objectives. The specifics of this review are currently being formalised and relevant stakeholders such as local authorities etc. will be consulted as appropriate. The review is expected to be completed this year.