Written answers

Tuesday, 26 March 2013

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Building Regulations

Photo of Barry CowenBarry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the current status of the establishment of a register of builders; when he expects it to come into effect; what it will involve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15155/13]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In April 2012 I released a consultation document entitled Strengthening the Building Control System which included, among other things, reference to discussions between my Department and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) in relation to the establishment of a voluntary registration process for house builders/contractors. At that time the CIF had been invited to set out proposals for such a scheme for consideration. My Department had indicated that the scheme should be in keeping with competition law, include strong quality assurance checks, provide strong consumer protection, have the cover of insurance and not add excessively to the economic cost of house purchase/rental.

The CIF has recently brought forward proposals, which are currently receiving consideration within my Department, on a voluntary scheme of registration for builders with the intention of moving towards a statutory scheme over time when it is proven to be a quality registration scheme and operating effectively in practice. Statutory registration arrangements for the construction professions of Architect, Building Surveyor and Quantity Surveyor are in place under the Building Control Act 2007 and for Chartered Engineers under earlier legislation dating from 1969.

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