Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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504. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will outline the transitional arrangements that he envisages on the introduction of the Building Control Act on 1 March 2014; the way these might apply to those who are currently engaged in exams under the RIAI but who may not have those completed by the 1 March 2014 deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24277/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Section 6 of the Building Control Act 1990 provides for the making of building control regulations which, among other things, may require the submission to building control authorities of certificates of compliance with the requirements of the building regulations and may prescribe the designation of the persons or the classes of persons by whom certificates of compliance may be given.

With effect from 1 March 2014 the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2013 will require, among other things, that design drawings demonstrating compliance with the requirements of the second schedule to the Building Regulations be lodged with the local building control authority prior to commencement of works and that a registered professional be assigned to inspect the implementation of the design during construction so that he/she is in a position to certify the completed building for compliance with the requirements of the second schedule to the Building Regulations. The statutory certificates of completion underpinning the procedures outlined must be signed by a registered professional i.e. a person who is included on the statutory registers of architects or building surveyors maintained in accordance with parts 3 and 5 respectively of the Building Control Act 2007 or on the register of chartered engineers established under the Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland (Charter Amendment) Act 1969.

Architects, Building Surveyors and Chartered Engineers are the construction professions typically involved in the design of construction works in Ireland. It is open to persons who possess the requisite experience and competence in the design of buildings to seek inclusion on either of the statutory registers of architects or building surveyors as established under Part 3 and Part 5 respectively of the Building Control Act 2007. Inclusion on either register will enable a person to sign statutory certificates of compliance as provided for under the new regulations when they come into effect on and from 1 March 2014. Given that the regulations were signed into law on 8 March 2013, a reasonable period of transition has been given during which persons who may be entitled to inclusion on either register may now seek to so register. There is no question of unregistered persons being allowed to sign statutory certificates of compliance when they come into effect on and from 1 March 2014.

I have recently asked Mr. Garrett Fennell, Solicitor, who is currently serving as the Chairperson of the Admissions Board relevant to the register of Architects, to carry out an independent review of the experience to date in relation to the operation of the register with a view to identifying any further improvements that can be made at this point.  The terms of reference for the review specifically address the matter of how the registration of practically trained architects can be further encouraged and I look forward to any recommendations and views the review report may offer in this regard in the coming months.   

My Department will continue to work closely with the professional bodies, including the RIAI and the Construction Industry Federation to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements for the control of building activity. The RIAI has not to date raised any concerns with the Department along the lines referred to in the question.