Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. It is an issue of concern to many Deputies around the country who have raised it consistently.

Following public concern with regard to the widespread failure to comply with regulatory requirements in all sectors of the construction industry, the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014, otherwise known as Statutory Instrument No. 9 of 2014, were introduced to strengthen the arrangements in place by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with building regulations. In relation to single dwellings, common problems which have come to the attention of my Department include inadequate drainage and septic tanks, necessitating the introduction of an inspection regime; sub-standard energy performance arrangements, as evidenced from the national building energy rating database; and occasional structural problems arising from poor workmanship or poor choice of materials.

Over 5,000 construction projects have commenced, to date, since the new regulations took effect on 1 March 2014. Over 1,100 of these are new build single dwellings. This is a significant number of projects and already a significant number of home owners, builders and other professionals are gaining direct experience of advancing one-off housing projects under the new arrangements. These dwellings will now enjoy the benefit of statutory certification of their design and construction, having been inspected and certified by the builder and a registered construction professional who have lodged compliance documentation with the local authority, where it is validated and included on a public register.

We now have a credible regulatory framework for building activity in place on a nationwide basis for the first time in the history of the State. While this is of immense benefit to home owners, obviously the issue of cost and value for money is of paramount concern for any new home owner. While costs are determined by market forces and are therefore outside the scope of my regulatory powers, I recognise the importance of ensuring that the regulations do not impact unduly on one-off housing, particularly in relation to cost.

As I have indicated previously, my Department, in conjunction with the Housing Agency and the construction professional bodies, is currently finalising additional guidance on an appropriate inspection plan for a typical one-off dwelling. This guidance will be helpful in better informing the market in relation to offering realistic and appropriately priced professional services for such work. I intend to publish this guidance shortly.

In my opinion, based on the advice I am receiving, the inspection regime for one-off houses should cost no more than €3,500. However, I am aware of many cases where the cost of inspections has far exceeded this amount, something I am determined to address in as far as possible.

I intend to announce details of the imminent review of SI 9 of 2014 early next month. It is appropriate that it be reviewed now that it is almost a year in place. I expect that the issue of cost in the self-build and one-off housing sector will be a key component in this review. I look forward to engaging openly with all stakeholders on the matter, including the technicians and technologists the Deputy has mentioned. A full report on the matter will be produced by the second quarter of 2015 and will inform further regulation in this critical area. I will arrange for a copy of the report to be made available in the Oireachtas Library in due course.

My Department will continue to engage proactively and constructively with all key stakeholders and interested parties in reviewing and strengthening the arrangements in place for the control of building activity. This is in the interest of the consumer and the person who builds, and also in the interest of keeping a high standard and keeping accountability at the forefront of construction here.

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