Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 January 2018
314. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a report entitled, Safe as Houses: A Report on Building Standards, Building Controls and Consumer Protection published by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government; and if the recommendations will be implemented. [4771/18]
View answerI am fully aware of the report entitled Safe as Houses: A Report on Building Standards, Building Controls and Consumer Protection, published by the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government last week.
It should be noted that in response to the many building failures that emerged in the last decade, my Department has been working on a building control reform agenda, including the following:
- the introduction of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, which require greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification;
- working closely with the Local Government Management Agency on the oversight and governance of the local authority Building Control System to improve its effectiveness; and
- progressing primary legislation, the Building Control (Construction Industry Register Ireland) Bill 2017, to develop and promote a culture of competence, good practice and compliance with the building regulations in the construction sector.
I will, of course, consider the recommendations contained in the report with a view to identifying any additional reasonable and appropriate measures that may be taken in the interests of strengthening the building control reform agenda underway, as well as increasing accountability and compliance in the construction industry.
