Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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161. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if, in relation to grants for septic tank improvements, he plans to increase the numbers of inspections available nationwide, in order that those who need an inspection can get one to avail of the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50357/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides financial support through the domestic waste water treatment system (DWWTS) grant schemes to assist householders carry out works to their defective septic tanks. The grants are focused on the areas of greatest environmental priority to protect human health and the environment. They include a grant for necessary works where an advisory notice has been issued after an inspection under the National Inspection Plan.

The changes I recently announced to the grants are to increase the maximum grant level available to €12,000 (up from €5,000) and remove a requirement for the historical registration of the DWWTS with the local authority in order to be eligible for a grant.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required, under the Water Services Act 2007, to prepare a national inspection plan for the inspection and monitoring of DWWTS. Local authorities implement the plan on behalf of the EPA. The EPA publishes an annual report on inspections, copies of which, along with the National Inspection Plan 2022-2026, can be found on the EPA's website at the following link:

www.epa.ie/publications/compliance--enforcement/waste-water /.

The current plan details the minimum number of inspections required to be carried out from 2023, which at 1,200 is increased from 1,000 in 2022.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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162. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the areas in Tipperary that are covered for grants for septic tanks; if he intends to increase the areas mapped to allow a larger geographical area to avail of the grants in order to ensure the grants have a full impact in terms of environmental protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50358/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently three grant schemes available to householders relating to Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS) commonly known as Septic Tank Grants. The purpose of the grants is to provide financial assistance to households to carry out works to defective septic tanks.

The grants are focused on the areas of greatest environmental priority to protect human health and the environment, and are not general in application.

Grants are available for households with septic tanks in Prioritised Areas for Action and High Status Objective Catchment Areas under the River Basin Management Plan.

Further information on the areas covered can be found in the River Basin Management Plan at the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/429a79-river-basin-management-plan-2018-2021/?referrer=http://www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-quality/river-basin-management-plans/river-basin-management-plan-natura-impact-statement

I can confirm that my Department is currently finalising the third cycle of the River Basin Management Plan which will include confirmation of the areas for action. It is expected that the new Plan will be launched in the coming months.

I recently announced changes to all three grants, increasing the value of funding available to households to €12,000, up from €5,000, and removing the qualifying condition that the owner must have registered their septic tank with the local authority. These changes will come into effect from 1 January 2024.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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163. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the position regarding a review (details supplied); if the qualifying criteria for the grant will be expanded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50374/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently three grant schemes available to householders relating to Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS) commonly known as Septic Tank Grants. The purpose of the grants is to provide financial assistance to households to carry out works to defective septic tanks.

The grants are focused on the areas of greatest environmental priority to protect human health and the environment, and are not general in application.

I can confirm that my Department has completed a review of the terms and conditions of the three grants. The review process included extensive consultation with stakeholders in the Rural Water Sector to identify where improvements could and should be made to the terms and conditions of the grants.

As a result of the review, I have approved changes to all three grants, increasing the value of funding available to households to €12,000, up from €5,000, and removing the qualifying condition that the owner must have registered their septic tank with the local authority. These changes will come into effect from 1 January 2024.

I have no plans to make further changes to the qualifying criteria.