Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2025
779. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide assurances that the issues impacting the Oscar Traynor Woods developments will not be mirrored in housing developments currently under construction in the Fingal area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1340/25]
View answer780. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to open an investigation to ensure that no housing developments currently under construction by a developer (details supplied) in the Fingal area have any underlying issues as seen at the Oscar Traynor Woods development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1341/25]
View answerA range of building control reforms which focus on ensuring strong and effective regulation in the building control system and of the construction industry and on improving compliance with Building Regulations have been implemented over the last decade. These include:
1. The implementation of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 which empower competence and professionalism in construction projects and establish a chain of responsibility that begins with the owner. If issues arise, whether pre, during or post construction, it is clear who has held the designated roles and who is responsible for addressing the issues. This facilitates and simplifies the inspection, implementation and enforcement role of Building Control Authority.
2. The creation of the National Building Control Management Project and the establishment of the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office. This office in Dublin City Council provides centralised oversight, support and direction for the development, standardisation and implementation of Building Control, across the 31 local authorities/building control authorities.
3. The enactment of the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 which develops and promotes a culture of competence, good practice and compliance with the Building Regulations in the construction sector. The Act puts the Construction Industry Register Ireland on a statutory footing and aims to benefit consumers and the general public by giving those who engage a registered builder the assurance that they are dealing with a competent and compliant operator. The requirement to register will apply to builders of both residential and non-residential buildings that are subject to the Building Regulations. It is expected that registration for the initial categories will commence this year. The first categories who will be required to register will likely be builders of housing schemes and apartments. Registration for various trades will happen subsequently.
Enforcement of the Building Regulations is delegated under the Building Control Act to local building control authorities (i.e. the 31 local authorities) who are independent in the exercise of their statutory powers. Under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001 each Chief Executive is responsible for the organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he or she is responsible.
Furthermore, in July 2024, the Government gave approval to draft Heads of Bill to establish a Building Standards Regulatory Authority as an independent central competent authority, with the powers of a national Building Control Authority, and national Market Surveillance Authority for construction products. It is intended that this Authority will act as a centre of best practice driving, promoting and fostering compliance, competency and consistency in building control and market surveillance systems and throughout the construction industry. My Department is working in collaboration with the local authority sector to progress the establishment of the Building Standards Regulatory Authority.
