Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 131: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied) regarding architects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33874/11]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 134: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding architects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33893/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 134 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. Thus the Act does recognise and provide an exclusive route to registration for those persons in the circumstances described.

The assertion referred to in the Question 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. The Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) is designated as the registration body for the purposes of Part 3 of the Act and has advised my Department that eight applications for technical assessment have been received to date. Of these, seven applications have been fully considered by the Technical Assessment Board with five applicants being deemed eligible for registration and two applicants being deemed unsuccessful. A further application is currently being assessed.