Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 514: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the technical assessment directly tests the practical elements of architecture rather than theory based on the student curriculum; if it directly tests the capabilities of unregistered architects who have been long out of third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40839/11]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 521: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views in regard to the attached submission (details supplied); the action he plans or is proposing in regard to each proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41057/11]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 536: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in respect of unregistered architects, under section 17 of the Building Control Act 2007, subsection (3), if he will define verified hardship for those who may seek a waiver to the technical assessment fees; the exact time frame for which the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland has agreed to reduce the technical assessment fees from €6,300 to €4,500; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41278/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 514, 521 and 536 together.

Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 sets out the detailed requirements for registration of the title of Architect. Section 14 of the Act sets out the various routes towards registration and makes appropriate provision for applicants who have qualified for consideration on the basis of their practical experience rather than their academic attainments.

In particular Section 14 (f) enables the registration of persons who have 7 years appropriate practical experience and who have passed the prescribed register examination. The examination in question is specifically designed for persons who are practically trained and participants are not required to possess any formal academic qualification in order to sit the exam. The possibility of prescribing further register admission examinations for the purposes of Section 14(f) does exist. However, I have no role in relation to the development or functioning of such examinations.

In addition, Section 22 provides for the registration following a process of technical assessment open only to those persons who had been performing duties commensurate with those of an architect for a period of ten or more years prior to the commencement date of the Act. The assessment process is set down in considerable detail in Section 22 itself and, again, participants do not require any formal academic training or qualification.

The fee in relation to candidates who apply for registration under the technical assessment route has been set at €4,500. This is a significant reduction on the figure originally proposed which was made possible by streamlining the administrative arrangements for registration and through the willingness of the Registration Body (the RIAI) to absorb some of the costs involved. In accordance with Section 62 of the Act the specification of fees is, in the first instance, a matter for the registration body. However, no fee may be specified without my approval as Minister. There are no proposals in relation to fees under consideration by my Department at present. The Act does not define the term verified hardship and it would not be appropriate for me to attempt to do so. Ultimately, the interpretation of the legislation is a matter for the courts should any dispute arise in relation to the use of the term.