Written Answers. - Housing Construction.
Ivan Yates
Question:
316
Mr. Yates
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
his Department's policy in relation to quality standards of house construction in the private and public sector; if he proposes a review in this area; and if he has satisfied himself that there is adequate enforcement of the existing regulations.
[24999/00]
The national building regulations prescribe minimum construction standards for new private and local authority dwellings. Part D of the regulations requires that new dwellings be carried out with proper materials and in a workmanlike manner. I consolidated the regulations in 1997, following a two year review which took into account the outcome of a public consultation process.
Compliance with the regulations is primarily a matter for the designers, builders and owners of the new houses involved. It is advisable for the purchaser of a private dwelling to retain a solicitor to advise on the terms and enforcement of the contract with the builder or developer; and a building professional to inspect and report on the quality of the new dwelling involved.
Enforcement of the regulations is a matter for the relevant local building control authority. On becoming Minister in 1997, I found that the level of enforcement was far from satisfactory. I have taken a number of measures to improve enforcement at local level including sanctioning the creation of additional posts, where necessary, to allow building control officers and supporting staff to be appointed and increasing building control fees, with effect from 1 July 1998, to provide local funding for stricter enforcement.
I am glad to report that these measures are yielding results. All authorities have appointed building control officers. About 85% of authorities are now carrying out inspections; and almost two-thirds have reached the target level of inspection – 12% to 15% of developments – recommended in the 1995 guidelines adopted by the City and County Managers Association. I have asked managers of the remaining authorities to ensure that the target is reached no later than end 2000, where inspections had started in August 2000, or mid-2001, where inspections had not started.
A new house for which a first time purchase grant, £3,000, is paid must comply with the building regulations; and grant-eligible new houses are inspected by my Department. HomeBond issues structural guarantees for new houses and arranges inspections of new houses for which such guarantees are sought.
