Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is planning to introduce energy usage certificates for new houses by the end of 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26645/06]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress which has been made to date to recruit, train and register the estimated 2000 energy rating assessors required to carry out inspections as set down in the EU Energy Performance Building Directive; and when the register of energy rating assessors is due to be operational. [30913/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 216 together.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 1511 of 27 September 2006. It is estimated that up to 2,000 building professionals, mainly in the private sector, will require training as Building Energy Rating (BER) assessors, on a phased basis by 2009, for the BER certification of both new and existing buildings — as required under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

BERs will be initially required for new dwellings commencing on or after 1 January 2007. To avoid disruption of the house-building programme, there will be a transitional exemption from BER of new dwellings for which planning permission was applied for on or before 30 June 2006, provided the new dwellings involved are substantially completed by 30 June 2008.

BER certificates will be issued by registered assessors who have successfully completed a training programme that: (a) meets the requirements of a Training Specification to be published this week and as proposed in the EPBD Action Plan; and (b) has been validated by a national accreditation body e.g. Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) or Higher Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC).

I understand that a number of educational and professional bodies plan to initiate training programmes. For building professionals with relevant previous experience, the courses will be of short duration and should generally not exceed 1 week.