Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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163. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will expedite an application (details supplied) for a domestic wastewater treatment grant for a person. [8471/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department cannot advise on the specific application outlined in the details supplied. It is the local authorities that administer the three grant schemes available to householders relating to Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems, commonly known as septic tanks.

Each local authority has a Rural Water Liaison Officer who is responsible for the day to day administration of the grants in their area. The Rural Water Liaison Officer can be contacted at the Rural Water Section of the relevant local authority.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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164. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will examine the administration of the recently enhanced domestic wastewater treatment system grant; and if applications are being selected randomly rather than on a priority basis from an environmental impact point of view. [8473/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The policy of providing grant funding for remedial work on domestic waste water treatment systems (DWWTS) arises from the need to address damage being done to water quality in sensitive areas in particular.

The three grant schemes available to householders are focused on the areas of greatest environmental priority and are not general in application.

Householders can avail of the grants if their DWWTS has failed an inspection under the National Inspection Plan and an Advisory Notice has been issued, or if the DWWTS is located in either a Prioritised Area for Action or a High Status Objective Catchment Area, as identified in the River Basin Management Plan

The changes which came into effect from 1 January 2024 are, an increase in the maximum grant amount available to €12,000, up from €5,000 and removal of a requirement to have had the septic tank registered in 2013.

The grants continue to be available only in circumstances relating to risks to water quality and/or human health. I have no plans to make further changes.