John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if members of The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists will be considered for inclusion in the register of approved inspectors, section ref 5.1 on the register of professionals under the Building Control Act 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21352/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Building Control Act 2007, among other things, provides for the registration of persons entitled to use the titles of Architect and Building Surveyor. A variety of routes to registration are provided for in relation to both registers having regard to the academic qualifications, professional attainment and practical experience of prospective candidates for registration. Depending on their own personal circumstances, it may be open to members of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists to seek inclusion on one or other of the aforementioned registers.

I have recently released for public consultation proposed Building Control (Amendment) Regulations which will provide for

(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;

The draft regulations and an explanatory document to inform the public consultation process are currently available on the Department's website www.environ.ie. The closing date for submissions in relation to the proposed regulations is 24 May 2012.

The explanatory document also identifies a number of additional Building Control reform measures that are currently under consideration, including proposals to achieve independent inspection and certification of building works by persons included on a register of approved competent persons. It is intended that the proposed register of approved inspectors and certifiers would be comprised of persons who (a) are included on either of the registers of architects or surveyors referred to above or are a Chartered Engineer and (b) are willing to commit to abiding by a proposed Code of Practice for inspecting and certifying the compliance of building projects with the requirements of the Building Regulations.