Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to publicise the fact that buildings energy ratings will be required on new dwellings commencing on or after 1 January 2007; the number of new dwellings it is estimated will be exempt from BER under the transitional arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36486/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The definitive Action Plan for the Implementation of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2002/91/EC) in Ireland was published on I August 2006. Section 6 of the Plan set out proposals for a comprehensive consultation, promotion and information campaign to inform the general public and business industry. I understand that Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has held and participated in more than 90 information sharing seminars on the implementation of this Directive with interested parties throughout the country. These seminars have been attended by more than 8000 participants, including 2,800 builders who attended the Home Bond Right on Site lecture series. SEI has also been maintaining an active information website (www.sei.ie/epbd), as well as issuing regular newsletters to an extensive mailing list.

I will be making European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations early next month providing for the implementation of the Building Energy Rating (BER) of new dwellings commencing on of after 1 January 2007. SEI will then initiate an information and publicity campaign focusing on the format and meaning of the BER label for a new dwelling; and the circumstances in which it will be required.

It is currently envisaged that the operative date of 1 January 2007 will be subject to the transitional exemption of new dwellings for which planning permission had been applied for on or before 30 June 2006, provided substantial work is completed by 30 June 2008. Transitional provisions are a common feature of major changes to the building code, so as not to disrupt the start of work on new buildings at an advanced stage of planning or design. The transitional exemption of new dwellings from BER has been reduced from 3 years, as proposed in the draft Action Plan to implement the EPBD, to 2 years.

While my Department is not in a position to give an accurate forecast of the number of new dwellings which could potentially benefit from the transitional BER exemption, the maximum number would be around 110,000 units.