Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 538: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the proposals he intends to introduce, by way of legislation or directive, relating to the standards, compliance and enforcement of Building Control Regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11529/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In July 2011 I announced a number of measures to be advanced by my Department and local authorities with a view to improving compliance with, and oversight of, the requirements of the Building Regulations. In broad terms the measures will involve:-

(a) the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by builders and designers of buildings confirming that the statutory requirements of the Building Regulations have been met;

(b) the lodgement of drawings at both commencement and completion of construction, demonstrating how the building has been designed and built to comply with all parts of the Building Regulations;

(c) more efficient pooling of building control staff and resources across the local authority sector to ensure more effective and meaningful oversight of building activity;

(d) standardised approaches and common protocols to ensure nationwide consistency in the administration of building control functions;

(e) better support and further development of the building control function nationwide.

Mandatory certification, lodgement of drawings and improved inspection arrangements as outlined above are key reforms which, I believe, will have the capacity to improve the quality of buildings and will lead to further strengthening of the regulatory regime as early as possible in 2012.

The Local Government Efficiency Review Group recommended in its Report in July 2010 that a single building inspectorate service could be established on a regional basis to streamline the approach to the inspection of property. The matter is being kept under review in the context of the above-mentioned actions being taken at Department and at Local Authority levels to further the development of the Building Control function.

Building Regulations set out the legal minimum performance standards which a completed building (including a dwelling) must achieve. Building Control Regulations deal with procedural matters relating to the administration of the Building Control function. Both sets of regulations are subject to ongoing review by my Department in conjunction with the Building Regulations Advisory Body (BRAB).