Written answers

Thursday, 17 May 2012

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Building Regulations

5:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 120: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent, if any, to which home owners whose property contains pyrite have been offered assistance through home bonds possibly enhanced by the insurance federation and or other interests involved in the construction of dwellings thus affected having particular regard to the need to re-establish confidence in the quality and durability of the construction sector and safeguarding the rights of the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24808/12]

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

I have no function and, consequently, no information in relation to the extent of assistance provided to purchasers of new homes by the companies providing structural guarantees warranties/insurance. However, I understand that the companies have funded remediation works resulting from pyrite damage and one company continues to do so in line with the relevant insurance policy. HomeBond, one of the companies involved, withdrew cover for such work in August 2011. As I have previously stated, I am very disappointed with the stance adopted by HomeBond in withdrawing cover for pyrite related damage to homeowners and I communicated this to the company last year.

I understand that a number of other insurance companies are also involved in funding pyrite related remediation works agreed through mediation or arbitration processes.

I set up the independent Pyrite Panel in September 2011 with the remit of exploring options to address the pyrite problem and I hope to receive its report early next month. I will give careful consideration to any recommendations it may contain in relation to providing mechanisms to address the pyrite problem.

I attach high priority to consumer protection in the area of quality construction of new dwellings. 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 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.

I have recently released, for public consultation, proposed Building Control (Amendment) Regulations which will provide for mandatory certification and the lodgement of drawings as referred to at (a) and (b) above. The draft regulations and an explanatory document to inform the public consultation process are currently available on my Department's website, www.environ.ie . The closing date for submissions in relation to the proposed regulations is 24 May 2012.

The other measures referred to above are being advanced separately by local authorities in consultation with my Department.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.