Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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376. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to provide an update on the status of the review on the domestic wastewater treatment system grant scheme; when the review is expected to be complete; when the review report and revised grant scheme will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42772/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides financial support through the domestic waste water treatment system grant schemes to assist householders to carry out works to repair or upgrade defective septic tanks.

I can confirm that a review of the grant schemes has been recently completed by my Department. As part of the review, there was extensive consultation with stakeholders, including convening a workshop with local authority staff administering the grant. I expect to receive a submission soon for my consideration on changes that will to improve the grants available to households.

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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In April 2022, I announced a new funding measure, as an advance stage of the upcoming Multi-annual Rural Water Programme, for the waste water collection and treatment needs of villages and settlements that do not have access to public waste water services.

Funding of €50 million has been specifically allocated under the National Development Plan 2021-2030. The first round of funding is intended to follow a demonstration project model approach to inform future funding needs that will provide appropriate longer-term solutions.

All rural local authorities were asked to submit a maximum of two suitable priority applications each, for this funding measure. A total of 23 individual applications from 13 local authorities were received before the closing date of 15 September 2022.

An independent Expert Panel has critically evaluated each application received and I will confirm approval of funding for specific projects shortly.