Building Regulations Amendments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 December 2012

Thursday, 6 December 2012

Questions (72)

Paschal Donohoe

Question:

72. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered the submission made by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists regarding the forthcoming Building Control (Amendment) Regulation 2012; if he has been able to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54872/12]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Over 500 submissions have been received by my Department following the public consultation process on the proposed Building Control Amendment Regulations 2012 undertaken earlier this year.  All submissions received have been comprehensively considered and the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2012 are currently being finalised. My Department has met and corresponded with the executive of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists in relation to concerns it raised in the context of the recent public consultation process which relate to the arrangements for the registration of architects and surveyors provided for under the Building Control Act 2007.

The Building Control Act 2007, among other things, provides at parts 3 and 5 respectively for the registration of persons entitled to use the title of Architect and Building Surveyor. A variety of routes to registration as either Architect or Building Surveyor are provided for, having regard to the academic qualifications, professional attainment and practical experience of prospective candidates for registration. Depending on their academic qualifications, professional attainments and practical experience members of CIAT can be considered for registration as architects and/or registration as Building Surveyors under the arrangements currently provided for under the Act.  I would encourage members of CIAT interested in signing the statutory certificates of compliance that will be introduced under the forthcoming Building Control regulations to explore and pursue the routes to registration which may be open to them having regard to their own professional background.