244. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the operation of the septic tank grants scheme and extend it to include all malfunctioning septic tanks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30665/24]

The Rural Water Programme provides financial assistance to households in specific circumstances where capital works are required to rectify defective Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS), including septic tanks.

The policy of providing grant funding to households for work on DWWTS arises from the need to address damage being done to water quality in sensitive areas in particular. The grants are focused on the areas of greatest environmental priority and are available only in circumstances relating to risks to water quality and/or human health and the environment.

Householders can avail of the grants if their DWWTS has failed an inspection under the National Inspection Plan and an Advisory Notice has been issued, or if the DWWTS is located in either a Prioritised Area for Action or a High Status Objective Catchment Area, as identified in the River Basin Management Plan.

Modifications to the conditions and amount of the grants available came into effect from 1 January 2024 following a review of the scheme and I have no plans to make further changes.