Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 293: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Building Control Act 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32247/11]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it is planned to amend the Building Control Act 2007 to insert a grandfather clause with a view to allowing experienced self-taught architects to use the term architect in carrying out their business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32394/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 293 and 303 together.

I have no plans to amend the Building Control Act 2007 along the lines suggested and there .is no question of non-registered persons being allowed to use the title of architect.

Section 22 of the act makes specific provision for a category of practically trained persons who had already been providing architectural services in Ireland commensurate with those understood as being provided by Architects for the purpose of the Building Control Act 2007 for a period of ten years at the time the Act became law. This provision is transitional in nature and enables this category of persons to become registered once they have been assessed as eligible for registration by the Technical Assessment Board in accordance with the practical experience assessment procedure.

The assertion in the details supplied that an applicant would have to have sat a five year degree course in order to be successful under the technical assessment route is incorrect. The technical assessment route is specifically provided for practitioners who are not academically qualified.