John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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474. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he intends to include the additional areas which have been classed as high status objective catchment area and priority areas for action which were published as part of the ‘Water Action Plan 2024, Ireland’s third River Basin Management Plan’, so that all the new areas can qualify for grant aid assistance under the domestic wastewater treatment systems grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57030/25]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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Grant assistance is available in specific circumstances to support householders where defective Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS), including septic tanks, present the greatest risk to the environment or to public health.

In particular, grants may be accessed where a system has failed an inspection under the National Inspection Plan and an Advisory Notice has issued, or where a dwelling is located within a designated area identified as being particularly vulnerable to the impacts of defective systems.

The operation and maintenance of DWWTS remains the responsibility of the property owner, who must ensure that their system functions effectively and does not pose a risk to human health or the environment.

My Department is currently reviewing the grant support arrangements being provided in light of evolving environmental objectives. Consideration of the additional areas now identified as high status objective catchment and priority areas for action will form part of this review.

My Department is currently finalising its review, and I will consider recommendations on this matter once they are submitted.