Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the help he will provide to the resident of Priory Hall, Dublin, who find themselves homeless through no fault of their own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13983/12]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 377: To ask the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the changes he will be making to the building regulations in view of the scandals at Priory Hall and Belmayne, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13984/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together.

The legal proceedings in relation to Priory Hall are continuing and it would be inappropriate to anticipate their conclusion. In particular, the current appeal by Dublin City Council will be heard by the Supreme Court on 24 April 2012.

I understand that Dublin City Council, having moved quickly in late 2011 to make arrangements for the provision of temporary accommodation for affected residents who require it, continues to engage with the residents in order to address, and advise them in relation to, specific family and individual needs. I have asked Dublin City Council to do all they can to assist the affected residents and see them through this very stressful and distressing ordeal.

The overriding priority is facilitate the return by the homeowners to their homes at the earliest possible opportunity. In this respect it will be necessary to ensure that these homes are made fit for purpose and that the costs of so doing fall where they should. I have asked Dublin City Council to do all within its powers to achieve this objective and have asked my Department to continue to liaise closely with Dublin City Council in this regard.

Dublin City Council has made commendable efforts to provide for the needs of residents to date and I urge the Council to continue to meet and communicate with the residents and to take all reasonable steps to support them at this vulnerable time.

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.

The arrangements for mandatory certification, the submission of drawings and improved inspections 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.