Building Regulations Compliance

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 January 2014

Wednesday, 29 January 2014

Questions (89)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

89. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in respect of capital building projects under the remit of his Department and the building programmes planned for 2014, if he will outline the impact the new building control regulations 2013, that come into effect on 1 March, will have on the costs of each specific project; if he will list the projects under way; the extra costs that will be incurred on each project due to increased professional fees and increased supervision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4360/14]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

The capital allocation to my Department's Vote Group encompasses a small number of building projects. A number of these projects are delivered by bodies/agencies within my Department's ambit, including the National Cultural Institutions, the Heritage Council, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Waterways Ireland or by the Office of Public Works on behalf of the Department or its agencies. As the Deputy is aware, the Regulations in question, which come into effect on 1 March, do not apply to projects which have already commenced. The impact of the Regulations on the costs of projects to commence after that date will be determined by market forces and the normal public procurement rules and cannot easily be anticipated at this time.