Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien has ruled out making further changes to the septic tank grant.
Changes to the grant came into effect this year on January 1, increasing the maximum grant amount available to €12,000, up from €5,000.
However, concerns have been raised as many people are unable to avail due to geographical location.
Septic tank
In a parliamentary question, Independent Deputy Carol Nolan asked the minister to undertake “an urgent review” of the adjustment of zones related to the scheme for the grants to upgrade or replace septic tanks.
“There are issues whereby people are now excluded from the scheme,” the Laois-Offaly TD added.
Minister O’Brien said that there are three grant schemes available to households relating to Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS), commonly known as septic tanks.
“The purpose of these grants is to incentivise householders to carry out works to their defective septic tanks.
“The grants are focused on the areas of greatest environmental priority to protect human health and the environment, and are not general in application, he said.
Grants
Households can avail of the grants if their septic tank has failed an inspection under the National Inspection Plan and an Advisory Notice has been issued.
Householders can also apply for a grant if their septic tank is located in either a prioritised area for action or a high status objective catchment area in the River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021.
The minister said that his department completed a review of the terms and conditions of the three grants “following extensive consultation with key stakeholders in the rural water sector”.
“As a result of the review and the recommendations made, in November 2023 I announced significant improvements to the grants available.
“The changes which came into effect from January 1, 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,” he said.