Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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425. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to clarify an issue in regard to septic tank grants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19442/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The policy of providing grant funding to households for work on Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS), including septic tanks, arises from the need to address damage being done to water quality in sensitive areas in particular.

The three different grants available are focused on the areas of greatest environmental priority and are available only in circumstances relating to risks to water quality and/or human health and the environment, and are not general in application. In November 2023, I announced significant improvements to the grants available which came into effect from 1 January 2024.

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

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 DDWWTS. The local authorities are responsible for the implementation of the plan, in their area, on behalf of the EPA. The plan details the current minimum number of inspections required to be carried out nationally as 1,200 per annum. My Department provides funding to cover the reasonable staff costs, however the appointment of DWWTS inspectors is a matter for each local authority.