Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the difficulties faced by building energy rating contractors who have invested significant amounts in training, insurance and registration and who are faced with low take-up of building energy rating certificates; the number of BER contractors; the amount of BER certificate applications since the beginning of the scheme; the steps he will take to ensure further take-up of this scheme; if he will introduce a waiver in relation to registration in respect of persons who are unemployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35521/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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There are currently almost 2,900 persons registered with Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) as Building Energy Rating (BER) assessors for dwellings, with 270 registered as BER assessors for buildings other than dwellings. At present there are some 74,000 Building Energy Rating (BER) certificates in place in respect of dwellings and over 2,000 BER certificates in place for buildings other than dwellings. While a significant level of BER activity is taking place, it is clear that the number of registered assessors for dwellings is far higher than is required to meet current and anticipated demand for BER certificates in the market place.

There are no proposals under consideration by my Department at present in relation to the waiver of registration fees in respect of unemployed persons who are interested in becoming BER assessors. I understand that SEI strongly advises applicants for registration to review the number of BER assessors who are already servicing their intended target area in order to ensure that they are satisfied with the potential business opportunity before investing money in registering with SEI. A database of all registered BER assessors, searchable by county, is included on SEI's website (www.sei.ie).

With regard to continuing to improve compliance with and awareness of the BER system, my Department will continue to work closely with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, SEI and the 37 local Building Control Authorities to promote awareness of the obligations which arise under the Regulations. SEI has already conducted a wide range of information and awareness campaigns and, later this Autumn, will engage in a further comprehensive advertising campaign to remind buyers of their rights and vendors of their obligations under the Regulations.