Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 February 2013
150. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 698 of 6 November 2012 if he will provide a further update in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7761/13]
View answerFollowing a comprehensive public consultation process undertaken in 2012, I am finalising the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2013 for signature into law. The new regulations will provide, among other things, for the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by builders and designers of buildings confirming that the statutory requirements of the Building Regulations have been met in relation to the building concerned. In addition a building owner will be required to assign a registered professional to inspect the work during construction and also to certify that the completed building is in compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations.
The roles of lead designer and assigned certifier may only be undertaken by competent persons who are included on the registers of Architects or Building Surveyors as provided for under the Building Control Act 2007 or who are Chartered Engineers. Depending on their own personal circumstances, it may be open to members of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) to seek inclusion on one or other of the registers of Architects or Building Surveyors. My Department has had discussions and correspondence with the executive of CIAT in relation to this matter and is happy to continue such engagement as required. In the meantime, 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 under the Building Control Act 2007 having regard to their own professional background.
