I propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 370 to 374, inclusive, together.
I have no plans to amend the Building Control Act 2007 along the lines suggested. Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 provides for the registration of persons permitted to use the title of Architect. The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) has been designated as the registration body for the purposes of Part 3 of the Act. Section 22 of the Act makes specific provision for a category of practically trained persons who had already been providing architectural services in Ireland commensurate with those understood as being provided by Architects for the purpose of the Building Control Act 2007 for a period of ten years at the time the Act became law. This provision is transitional in nature and enables this category of persons to become registered once they have been assessed as eligible for registration by the Technical Assessment Board in accordance with the practical experience assessment procedure — a process which assesses work submitted by the applicant and which does not involve any requirement to sit an examination.
The RIAI has advised my Department that eight applications for technical assessment have been received to date. Of these, seven applications have been fully considered by the Technical Assessment Board with five applicants being deemed eligible for registration and two applicants being deemed unsuccessful. A further application is currently being assessed. My Department is currently discussing reporting arrangements with the registration bodies. Information regarding its activities under the Act was included in the RIAI's annual report for 2010.
