Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 538: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the certification exams will be available along with the updated DEAP software in view of the fact that the BER deadline approaches for existing dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39918/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 539: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the format the certification exams (details supplied) will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39919/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 540: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the proposed number of examination centres (details supplied) nationwide and their proposed location. [39920/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 541: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the body responsible for the enforcement of legislation (details supplied); the way the legislation will be enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39921/08]

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

I propose to take Question Nos. 538 to 541, inclusive, together.

The EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings was transposed into Irish law in the form of the European Communities (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2006. In accordance with Article 7 of these Regulations a Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate has been required for a new dwelling with effect from 1 January 2007, with a transitional arrangement, linked to prior planning permissions, which expired on 30 June 2008. A BER certificate will be required for existing buildings of any class, including a dwelling, offered for sale or letting on or after 1 January 2009, unless otherwise exempted — for example, in the case of a national monument or protected structure.

The body responsible for the BER Certification System is Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), which has been designated as the issuing authority under Article 2 of the Regulations. BER certificates are issued by qualified BER assessors who have completed the necessary training and have been registered by SEI to carry out the assessment of buildings. To date, over 3,000 persons have successfully completed training courses, including examination, with SEI-accredited training providers in relation to the BER certification of new dwellings.

In advance of the statutory requirement for BER Certificates for existing dwellings which becomes effective from 1 January 2009, SEI has arranged for the following: Revised Dwellings Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP) software appropriate for both new and existing dwellings was released to all currently registered BER Assessors on 30 October 2008; Existing BER Assessors who are registered with SEI to undertake BER Assessments for new dwellings may now register as BER Assessors for existing dwellings and undertake BER Assessments on existing dwellings from 1 January 2009; eligibility to perform this function will be on the basis of the Assessor's declared competence and familiarity in relation to, inter alia, the survey methodology for existing dwellings and the operation of the new DEAP software.

A national certification examination will be rolled out early in 2009, which will enable persons, provided they are successful at the examination, to gain certification as BER Assessors for both new and existing dwellings; the National Administration System (NAS) for the BER process which currently only deals with new dwellings will be extended from 17 November to allow for the uploading/publication of BER certificates for both new and existing dwellings.

A procurement process being run by SEI to subcontract the national certification examination is nearing completion. While it is not possible at this stage to be specific about the number or location of the examination centres, SEI is confident that there will be an extensive network of such centres available nationwide that will provide convenient access for Assessors. The national certification examination will be a computer-based, multiple choice format exam, covering all key learning areas necessary to demonstrate competence in BER Assessment.