Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013
466. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a submission (details supplied) regarding a grandfather change in the building regulation; if the content can be addressed or is it feasible that the correspondents have means available to them to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25313/13]
View answer468. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will address concerns raised regarding the grandfather clause in the building regulations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25349/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 466 and 468 together.
Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 sets out the statutory arrangements for the registration of architects. A variety of routes to registration are provided for in the Act, including specific provision (under section 22) for the registration of practically trained persons who may have no academic qualifications or formal education in the discipline of architecture but who had been performing duties commensurate with those of an architect for a period of ten years prior to the commencement of the Act.
I share the concerns of those who feel that the number of applications to date from practically-trained architects is less than might reasonably be expected notwithstanding the provision in that regard in the Act. I have recently asked Mr Garret Fennell, Solicitor, who is currently serving as the Chairperson of the Admissions Board relevant to the register of Architects, to carry out an independent review of the experience to date in relation to the operation of the register with a view to identifying any further improvements that can be made at this point. I have particularly asked for his recommendations or views on how the registration of practically trained architects can be further encouraged. As the review is an independent one it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the proposed submission in this instance and I would advise the correspondent to email his views directly to architectsreview@environ.ie, for the attention of Mr Fennell.
