Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

773. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on grants for biocycle; the details of the eligibility criteria for these grants; when they will open to applicants and how to apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57096/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are currently three separate Domestic Waste Water Treatment System (DWWTS) grant schemes available to householders. The purpose of the grants is to provide financial assistance to householders to repair or upgrade their defective DWWTS, commonly called septic tanks.

Grants are available to householders where a septic tank has been found to be defective following an inspection by the local authority or if located in a designated area of greatest environmental priority.

In November 2023 I announced substantial improvements to the terms and conditions of all three grants. I approved an increase of the grant amount available to €12,000 from €5,000 and also made it is easier to qualify by removing the requirement, for the purposes of the grant, on households to have registered their DWWTS with the local authority.

The changes came into effect on 1 January 2024.

Further details are available on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/6cc1e-domestic-waste-water-treatment-systems-septic-tanks/