I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together.
A reply to the Irish Association of Self Builders will issue within the next week.
The Code of Practice for Inspecting and Certifying Buildings and Works has now been finalised and was circulated to industry stakeholders on 7 February 2014.
The new online Building Control Management System will provide a common platform for clear and consistent administration of building control matters across the local authority sector. Briefing and guidance for local authority staff on the new system has begun in recent weeks and arrangements are being made to brief key industry stakeholders on 17 February 2014, before the system is made publicly available in advance of 1 March 2014.
The prescribed forms of the statutory certificates of compliance required at design and completion stage of a construction project are included in the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 as signed into law on 15 January 2014. The impact of the Regulations for building owners and commissioning bodies and, in particular, the implications for projects currently subject to tender or for which contracts have recently been signed were addressed in the reply to Question No. 119 of 29 January 2014. My Department is continuing to liaise closely with the relevant Departments and agencies in relation to this aspect of the matter.
Concerns that the new regulations prevent a self-build situation are unfounded although all house-builders must comply with them. An owner who intends to self-build will, as before, assume legal responsibility for ensuring that the building or works concerned are compliant and they will be required, as builder, to sign the Undertaking by the Builder and the Certificate of Compliance on Completion.
Arrangements for a smooth transition to the new regulatory environment are well in hand and my Department will continue to work with all parties to ensure they understand their obligations and the steps necessary to meet them.
