Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2018
673. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the position on the requirement for air vents in new housing; the recourse which homeowners have in cases in which these have not been provided; the penalties for house builders who fail to provide them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11604/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe aim of the Building Regulations is to provide for the safety and welfare of people in and about buildings. The Building Regulations apply to the design and construction of a building or to an extension or material alteration of a building. The minimum performance requirements that a building must achieve are set out in the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations. These requirements are set out in 12 parts classified as Parts A to M. Part F - Ventilation, requires that adequate means of ventilation shall be provided for people in buildings.
Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs) provide technical guidance on how to comply with the building regulations in practical terms. TGD F contains guidance, compliance with which will, prima facie, indicate compliance with Part F.
Under the Building Control Acts 1990 to 2014, primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Enforcement of the Building Regulations is a matter for the 31 local building control authorities, who have extensive powers of inspection and investigation under the Acts.
The Building Regulations are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and innovation. Directive 2010/31/EU on the Energy Performance of Buildings requires that by 31 December 2020 all new buildings are nearly zero-energy buildings. Part F - Ventilation, will shortly be reviewed to take account of changes in air permeability standards required in nearly zero energy buildings.
