Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 582: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when it is intended to implement the new energy rating provisions for houses; if the provisions will apply equally to local authority housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19756/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings, which was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2006, introduced a requirement for a Building Energy Rating System, or BER as it is more commonly known.

The BER system is being implemented under the Regulations in 4 phases:

BER for new dwellings was introduced with effect from 1 January 2007, with a transitional exemption applying to new dwellings for which planning permission was applied for on or before 31 December 2006, and provided they are substantially completed by 30 June 2008;

BER for new non-domestic buildings will commence from 1 July 2008, with a transitional exemption applying for buildings for which planning permission was applied for on or before 30 June 2008 and provided they are substantially completed by 30 June, 2010;

BER for existing buildings of any class being offered for sale or letting will commence from 1 January, 2009; and

BER for all new public service buildings will come into effect from 1 July 2008, subject to the transitional arrangements applying to new non-domestic buildings, and will be applicable to existing large public service buildings from 1 January 2009.

The requirement to obtain a BER certificate applies to both local authority and private housing.