Wednesday, 5 Mar 2014

Written Answers Nos. 130-135

Building Regulations Qualifications

Questions (130)

Arthur Spring

Question:

130. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the introduction of the new building control regulations, the options available to a person with a diploma in architectural technology to access the statutory register of architects, in view of the fact that that person has operated an architectural services practice covered by professional indemnity insurance for over 20 years and has not had a claim made against the business. [11087/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

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. I would encourage the person concerned to contact the Royal Institution of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland with a view to identifying and pursuing the most suitable routes to registration which would be open to them having regard to their own professional background.

Irish Water Administration

Questions (131)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

131. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way it is expected that local authorities take an estate in charge where the water infrastructure is now owned by Irish Water; if the transfer in ownership of water infrastructure to Irish Water has resulted in an unintended impediment to the taking in charge of estates; if so, if any specific guidelines or circulars are expected to be issued in respect of this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11098/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan)

As stated in Circular Letter PL 21/13 issued by my Department to planning authorities on 30 December 2013 in the light of the transfer of certain statutory water services functions from local authorities to Irish Water with effect from 1 January 2014, legislative amendments to existing provisions on the taking in charge of housing estates will be made in 2014. As also advised in this circular letter, pending further legislation and guidelines in 2014, planning authorities should firstly consult with Irish Water on any proposal to take in charge water services infrastructure which would ultimately be transferred to Irish Water under section 12 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013.

Litter Pollution

Questions (132)

David Stanton

Question:

132. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 152 and 153 of 26 February, if he will provide a breakdown of payments made to the 15 local authorities respectively specifically in respect of adopt-a-road schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11109/14]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Details of the individual allocations made to local authorities for adopt a road projects in 2013 are provided in the table below.

County Council	Euro
Cavan County Council	€1,750
Cork County Council	€6,000
Donegal County Council	€21,000
South Dublin County Council	€2,349
Fingal County Council	€10,221
Galway City Council	€3,500
Kerry County Council	€16,450
Leitrim County Council	€3,920
Limerick County Council	€8,400
Longford County Council	€8,500
Louth County Council	€2,100
Mayo County Council	€1,730
Meath County Council	€4,900
Roscommon County Council	€3,920
Sligo County Council	€525
Total	€95,265

Building Regulations Compliance

Questions (133, 134, 135)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

133. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if bearing in mind that the 60 apartments owned by a Housing Association (details supplied) at Gallery Quay were constructed as part of a private development of 300 apartments and commercial units at Gallery Quay over the period 2005 to 2006, his views on whether a survey of all 300 units would be required to ensure that the problems facing Gallery Quay are not more extensive. [11129/14]

Dessie Ellis

Question:

134. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline in detail any evidence he may have that makes him believe that the serious building defects experienced by Gallery Quay are site specific. [11130/14]

Dessie Ellis

Question:

135. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether the building defects affecting housing (details supplied) at Gallery Quay are site specific; the reason this is the case; and the measures will he take to investigate same and make those responsible accountable. [11131/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 to 135, inclusive, together.

I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 469, 470, 479, 480, 481, 482 and 483 of 25 February, 2014, setting out the position in relation to 60 apartments owned by Tuath Housing Association which are currently subject to water ingress through the external fabric of the building.

My Department has no information in relation to the structural condition of the outer fabric of the 240 privately owned apartments and commercial units in the Gallery Quay complex. My Department understands that the building envelope, which comprises the external rendered concrete slab, is owned by the Gallery Quay Management Company and that the building surveys carried out by Tuath were undertaken with the consent of the Management Company and confined to those apartments owned by Tuath. Any decision to undertake condition surveys of privately owned apartments and commercial units is a matter for the individual property owners themselves and the Management Company which owns the external envelope.

The form of construction at Gallery Quay is based on an Australian building system, modified to Irish conditions and certified by the Irish Agrément Board and subject to the requirements of the Building Regulations, 1997 to 2002. My Department is not aware of any other instance where this building system was used in the Docklands area.