Proposed Legislation

Wednesday, 30 November 2011

Ceisteanna (34)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Ceist:

27 Deputy Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will consider amending the Building Control Act 2007 by removing Part 3; whether he agrees that the term “architect” should not be applied exclusively to university-qualified architects, and that since architecture is a creative art form the term “architect” should not be exclusive to any one group, just as the term “artist” should never be the exclusive preserve of any one group such as artists with an arts degree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37429/11]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Deputy Phil Hogan)

I have no plans to amend Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 along the lines suggested. There is no question of the term architect being applied exclusively to university qualified architects. Section 22 of the Act makes specific provision for a category of practically trained persons who had already been providing architectural services in Ireland commensurate with those understood as being provided by architects for the purpose of the Building Control Act 2007 for a period of ten years at the time the Act became law. This provision is transitional in nature and enables this category of persons to become registered once they have been assessed as eligible for registration by the Technical Assessment Board in accordance with the practical experience assessment procedure. The prescribed register admission examination route provided for at section 14(2)(f) will ensure there is an ongoing route to registration for those who obtain the required level of competence through practical experience rather than through formal academic study. The register of persons entitled to use the title of architect was introduced as a consumer protection measure and is designed to prevent persons who fail to demonstrate the required level of competence from passing themselves off as architects. As explained above registration is open to both academically qualified and practically trained candidates. However, there is no question of allowing any person to use the title of architect unless he or she is registered to do so.