Grants of up to €4,000 for septic tank repairs

The Government is to provide grants of up to €4,000 to assist households whose septic tanks and other domestic water treatment systems require remediation or upgrading following new inspections.

For households with income of up to €50,000, the maximum grant available will be €4,000, or 80 per cent of the cost. For households with income of between €50,000 and €75,000, the maximum grant will be €2,500, or 50 per cent of the cost.

Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan said yesterday that a strict condition of eligibility would be that the householder had registered their system by the prescribed date of February 1st, 2013. He said grants would only be available where systems had been inspected by local authorities and had been found to be in need of remediation.

Inspections are expected to get under way next year.

“I am very conscious of householders’ concerns regarding some costs in repairing or upgrading their systems if they fail an inspection,” Mr Hogan said. “Even though most of the deficiencies with septic tanks are likely to be remedied by routine maintenance . . . I am making this announcement to reassure people that they will be assisted in meeting the costs of any remedial works that may be necessary.”