Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2015
594. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are ways to block rogue builders from any further involvement in the construction industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24711/15]
View answerAny consumer engaging a builder to undertake building works on their behalf should as a minimum satisfy themselves that the builder is competent to undertake the works concerned (on the basis of having satisfactorily undertaken similar works for others); is tax compliant; is compliant with relevant requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act; and is prepared to sign a contract which may be enforced by civil means should that be necessary. The Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) has been established by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) as a register of builders and contractors. Participation in the register is voluntary at present. I understand that over 600 building and contracting entities are currently included on the register and that a further 900 are at various stages of the registration process. Under the Construction 2020 strategy, the Government has signalled its commitment to placing the register on a statutory footing in 2015. This is seen as an essential consumer protection measure giving consumers who engage a registered builder the assurance that they are dealing with a competent and compliant operator. Legislative proposals in this regard are currently being prepared by my Department with a view to their being presented to Government for consideration in the near future.
