Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring has welcomed the announcement from the Minister of the Environment, Phil Hogan, to provide a grant scheme to provide financial assistance to households whose septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems require remediation or upgrading following inspection under the Water Services (Amendment ) Act 2012.
Inspections are expected to commence in 2013 and will be based on a national inspection plan. All domestic septic tanks and other waste water systems should be registered no later than February 1, 2013.
Minister Ring said: “I am delighted that Minister Hogan has been able to allocate funding to those who may require it following an inspection of their septic tank. I believe that today’s announcement will offer people a greater peace of mind regarding the issue of the septic tank registration and inspection.”
A maximum grant of €4,000 will be available for household incomes of up to €50,000, or 80 per cent of the cost. A maximum grant of €2,500 will be available for household incomes of between €50,001 and €75,000, or 50 per cent of the cost.
The Environment Minister has also announced that he is increasing the grant for Group Sewerage Schemes to €6,500 per house or 75 per cent of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser. The current rate of grant available for group sewerage schemes is €2,031.58 per house or 75 per cent of the cost of the scheme, whichever is the lesser.
