Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 1041: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Sustainable Energy Ireland national examination will be introduced in respect of building energy rating assessors for existing dwellings; the reason the examinations did not begin before the introduction of the regulation on 1 January 2009; the number of assessors on the interim register of BER assessors for existing dwellings; the status of certificates issued by the interim assessor if they should subsequently fail the SEI national examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2503/09]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 1042: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has proposed guidelines for the cost of building energy rating certificates for existing dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2504/09]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 1061: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the persons who are liable to pay for energy rating certificates; if landlords are allowed to charge tenants under the legislation for the supply of such certificates; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such certificates are available in the UK for £80 which is approximately €80 and that this Deputy's office is receiving reports that €300 plus is being demanded for such certificates here; his plans to ensure that certificates are made available at a reasonable and affordable cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1127/09]

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1111: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the provisions which have been or will be put in place to help persons over 70 years of age with the cost of the BER certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2123/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1041, 1042, 1061 and 1111 together.

The requirement for BER certification for existing dwellings offered for sale or letting commenced on 1 January 2009. As of 26 January, 2009, 4,873 persons have successfully completed training courses on BER certification of dwellings with training providers registered by HETAC or FETAC and listed on the Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) website. Training participants require an appropriate construction related qualification of at least Level 6 Award (Advanced Certificate/Higher Certificate) or equivalent and must achieve a score of 70% of the available marks at an end of course examination in order to be fully certified and eligible to register with SEI as a BER Assessor.

Some 1,501 of those who have successfully completed a training course have registered to date as BER Assessors for new dwellings and 1,082 of these have extended their registration to cover energy rating of second hand dwellings. This extension is subject to a signed declaration from the BER Assessor that he/she is fully familiar with the methodology for assessing second hand dwellings, accepts the updated Code of Practice and undertakes to sit SEI's BER Registration Exam before 31 December, 2009. This exam will be available in test centres nationwide. Registration will be discontinued if assessors fail to pass the SEI exam; however, in these circumstances, assessments already made will not be rendered invalid.

The examination scheme has been designed to facilitate the introduction of annual competency testing from 2010 onwards to ensure that all BER Assessors are keeping their skills up to date. Once the exam is available, all applicants will be required to pass the SEI Registration Exam prior to registering as a BER Assessor. From 2010, renewal of registrations for BER Assessors will be subject to successful completion of competency tests. All BER assessment activity is closely monitored by SEI and a robust system of audit and quality assurance checks is in place.

In relation to the cost of BER assessments, in the case of an existing house owned by a person over 70 years of age, the position is that the statutory requirement to obtain a Building Energy Rating (BER) Certificate and advisory report only arises when the house is offered for sale or rent. No specific proposals to assist persons over the age of 70 with the cost of BER certificates are under consideration by my Department at present.

The cost of a BER Certificate is relatively modest compared to the value a house may realise in the sale or rental markets and, once obtained, a BER Certificate remains valid for 10 years. The cost of obtaining the BER Certificate is borne by the owner / landlord. The owner / landlord and any agent acting on behalf of such a person is obliged to provide a copy of the BER Certificate and advisory report to any person expressing an interest in purchasing or taking a letting of the building. Failure to provide a prospective tenant or buyer with the required documents is an offence and may, on prosecution by a Building Control Authority, result in a fine not exceeding €5,000.

In line with other Member States, no official fee for BER assessment services has been set in order to encourage the development of a competitive cost environment. There are currently just over 1,500 BER Assessors registered with SEI and this number is expected to grow further in the coming months. The conditions for a healthy competitive market for this service are therefore in place. As with all services, home owners are advised to shop around for the best deal available.

This recent steady growth in the numbers of registered BER Assessors, together with the increase in the demand for BER Certificates apparent since 1 January, 2009, is already exerting downward pressure on the cost of BER assessments and will ensure the ongoing development of a competitive market place for BER assessments.