Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government’s Construction 2020 strategy sets out a comprehensive package of measures to restore the construction sector to a sustainable position within our economy and sets out a number of actions to increase the supply of good quality houses to meet a growing demand. My Department is the lead Department for a range of the Construction 2020 actions in the areas of housing and planning. Strong progress is being made, as demonstrated by the roll-out of the social housing strategy and the ongoing work on new planning legislation.

Deputy Cowen raised the matter of regulatory costs. The Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015 provides for amendments to the Part V provisions on social and affordable housing in the Planning Acts. There will be an opportunity in the coming days to debate some of the aspects of this.

As a result of the Government's proactive and focused approach, house building activity is now showing clears signs of recovery. Moreover, we now have a credible building control regulatory framework in place, underpinned by the new arrangements introduced by SI 9 of 2014.

In overall terms, I am satisfied that the new building control regime represents a reasonable and appropriate response to the many building failures that occurred in the past decade and will lead to improved quality within the construction sector, something we would all welcome.

However, I am conscious that concerns have been raised relating to the costs imposed by SI 9 of 2014 relating to single dwellings, including self-builds and extensions, as referred to by the Deputy. As Minister of State, I have a responsibility to ensure that the cost of compliance with regulations is fair, reasonable and proportionate. I have already publicly indicated my willingness to consider concerns expressed and take whatever steps are reasonable and appropriate to address them.

A broad review of SI 9 of 2014 is currently under way and includes a special focus on the impact of the regulations on single dwellings and extensions in particular. A report on the key concerns raised during the review and the recommended course of action for addressing these concerns will be prepared by my Department in the coming weeks with a view to ensuring that any changes deemed appropriate will be effected as a matter of priority subsequently.

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