Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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610. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if consideration would be given to reviewing the eligibility areas of grant aid schemes administered by Cork City Council to upgrade, repair or replace domestic wastewater treatment system/septic tank systems, to ensure that those who are in most need of the grant and who would have difficulty in financing such works could utilise the grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61410/25]

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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611. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if consideration would be given to reviewing the eligibility areas of grant aid schemes administered by Cork County Council to upgrade, repair or replace domestic wastewater treatment system/septic tank systems, to ensure that those who are in most need of the grant and who would have difficulty in financing such works could utilise the grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61411/25]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 610 and 611 together.

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

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 finalising a review of the grant support arrangements in light of evolving environmental objectives. This review includes consideration of all areas, including Cork City and County, to ensure that available resources are used to best effect and that the grant support is targeted to deliver the greatest environmental and public health benefits for the funding invested.