For Septic Tank Grants currently in Ireland there are only two options for financial assistance when upgrading or repairing your septic tank system:
- Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (DWWTS) Scheme
- Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) Scheme
DWWTS Scheme
Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 222 of 2013)
Currently a homeowner is only eligible to apply for a septic tank grant if they have had an inspection carried out under the Water Services Act 2007 and have been issued an Advisory Notice by the local authority.
The main provisions of the Advisory Notice will:
- state that the owner of the premises has contravened regulations
- state that the domestic wastewater treatment system constitutes a risk to human health or the environment
- state the reasons for that opinion; and
- direct the owner to remedy the matters specified in the notice by a specified date and may specify measures to be taken
Following receipt of the advisory notice you may be eligible for a grant to assist with the cost of upgrading or repairing the system.
The level of grant aid available is determined on the basis of gross household income and is either 50% or 80% of the approved cost of the works. The income thresholds and grant rates for assistance with remedial works are shown in the following table:
| Household income | Percentage of costs available | Maximum grant |
| Up to €50,000 per year | 80% | €4,000 |
| Between €50,001 and €75,000 | 50% | €2,500 |
| Over €75,000 | 0% | No grant payable |
The grant assistance will only be available to householders who have registered their system by February 1st 2013.
Can I request an Inspection: Currently a homeowner cannot request an inspection by the local authority. Local Authorities are responsible for selecting the systems to be inspected. For more information on septic tank inspections click here
HRI Scheme
Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) Scheme
If you have not had an inspection by the local authority you may receive final assistance in the form of the Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) Scheme .
What is the home renovation scheme? The Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) Scheme provides for tax relief for Homeowners by way of an Income Tax credit at 13.5% of qualifying expenditure on repair, renovation or improvement works carried out on a main home or rental property by qualifying Contractors. Septic tank upgrade to a bioCycle system qualifies under this scheme. BioCycle are approved and registered under this scheme.
Tax relief can be claimed on qualifying expenditure over €4,405 (before VAT at 13.5%) per property. For More information on the HRI Click Here
