INTEREST-FREE loans should be offered to rural dwellers who face costly septic tank upgrades in order to comply with new Government measures, according to Irish Rural Link.
Irish Rural Link – the national network representing the interest of rural communities – believes failure to provide such loans could see people brought before the courts or seeking assistance from money lenders.
Under the Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011, those with septic tanks will be required to pay about €50 to register their tank prior to the proposed commencement of “risk-based” inspections in 2013.
Irish Rural Link chief executive Séamus Boland said: “Families struggling to maintain their incomes because of job losses and dependency on social welfare will not be able to meet the high costs of sceptic tank repair. Already people, especially in the older age bracket and families on low incomes are extremely stressed that they will not be able to meet these bills and therefore find themselves in trouble with the law of the land,” he added.
The group said many families would not be able to borrow in the current financial climate and could be driven to using moneylenders. A four-stage strategy has been developed by the group, who urged the Department of the Environment to provide necessary support to homeowners facing potential costs.
They are calling for the establishment of an advisory group to assist the transition period. The organisation also wants a declaration that hardship cases will be dealt with fairly through a means-tested grant scheme.
They also say the department “should devise a scheme of low- or no-interest loans”.