Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2013
166. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the discussions his Department has had with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists with regards the draft Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2012; if he will confirm if the CIAT will have an opportunity to make a formal submission to him before these regulations are commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12168/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a comprehensive public consultation process undertaken in 2012, I am currently finalising the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2013 for signature into law. The new regulations will provide, among other things, for the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by builders and designers of buildings confirming that the statutory requirements of the Building Regulations have been met in relation to the building concerned. In addition a building owner will be required to assign a registered professional to inspect the work during construction and also to certify that the completed building is in compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations. The roles of lead designer and assigned certifier may only be undertaken by competent persons who are included on the registers of Architects or Building Surveyors as provided for under the Building Control Act 2007 or who are Chartered Engineers.
Depending on their own personal circumstances, it may be open to members of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) to seek inclusion on one or other of the registers of Architects or Building Surveyors. My Department has had discussions and correspondence with the executive of CIAT in recent months in relation to the options for registration under the Building Control Act 2007 that are currently open to their members and the potential for further developing the registration process in line with the Act of 2007. It is intended to meet with CIAT again in the near future and my Department is happy to continue to advise and assist CIAT on this basis in relation to the matter.
