James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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492. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to amend the registration arrangements currently provided for in the Building Control Act 1997 in respect of the grandfather clause, relating to practically trained persons providing architectural services here; if he faciliate Architects Alliance of Ireland the opportunity to address these issues; the way this will be done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2937/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 sets out the statutory arrangements for the registration of architects. A variety of routes to registration are provided for in the Act, including specific provision (under section 22) for the registration of persons who had been performing duties commensurate with those of an architect for a period of 10 or more years in the State prior to the commencement of the Act of 2007.

In 2013, in response in particular to the concerns of those who felt that fewer applications have been made to date by persons who may be eligible to seek inclusion on the register in accordance with Section 22, I asked Mr Garret 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.

Following the publication of Mr Fennell’s report on the matter last year, I understand that the RIAI, the designated registration body under Part 3 of the Act of 2007, has already made a number of modifications to the technical assessment process. My Department, in conjunction with the RIAI as registration body, will be happy to liaise with interested parties such as the Architects Alliance of Ireland in relation to the on-going development of registration arrangements in line with the recommendations made by Mr Fennell or as otherwise reasonable and appropriate.