Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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483. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the changes planned to the building control regulations introduced on 1 March 2014; the time frame for such changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6707/15]

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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484. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the status of the Departmental review of the building regulations introduced on 1 March 2014; if the review will be published; the time frame for its completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6708/15]

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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485. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated additional cost the building regulations have generated for one-off units; the original anticipated cost of the regulations according to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6709/15]

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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486. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the discussions his Department has held with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland and Construction Industry Federation on the introduction and operation of the building regulations, introduced on 1 March 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6710/15]

Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 483 to 486, inclusive, together.

The Building Control Act 1990 places a statutory obligation on owners, designers and builders to design and construct buildings in compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations. Following public concern with regard to the widespread failure to comply with regulatory requirements in all sectors of the construction industry, the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 9 of 2014) were introduced to strengthen the arrangements in place by requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations. Over 5,000 construction projects have commenced to date since the new regulations took effect on 1 March 2014 and thus require statutory certification of design and construction, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation and registration of certificates.

I intend to announce details of the imminent review of S.I. No. 9 of 2014 early next month. A full report on the matter will be produced by the second quarter of 2015 and will inform further regulation in this critical area. I will arrange for a copy of the report to be made available in the Oireachtas Library in due course.

In relation to the additional costs for one-off housing units, I refer to the reply given in response to Questions Nos. 541 and 542 of 18 December 2014 which remains relevant. Price is determined by market forces and is therefore outside of the scope of my regulatory powers. Nevertheless, I recognise the importance of ensuring that the regulations do not impact unduly on one-off housing, particularly in relation to cost. As indicated previously, my Department, in conjunction with the Housing Agency and the construction professional bodies, is currently finalising additional guidance on an appropriate inspection plan for a typical one-off dwelling. This guidance will be helpful in better informing the market in relation to offering realistic and appropriately priced professional services for such work.

Detailed submissions from both the Construction Industry Federation and the Royal Institution of Architects of Ireland were among the 500 submissions from industry stakeholders and private individuals received by my Department during the consultative process which informed the development of S.I. No. 9 of 2014. Subsequently, both organisations participated in various working groups convened by my Department and the Local Government Management Agency to facilitate and support the smooth transition by all stakeholders to the new regulatory framework. Other organisations which participated included the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland, Engineers Ireland, the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland, the Housing Agency and Fire Officers and Building Control Officers from a range of local authorities. My Department will continue to engage proactively and constructively with all key stakeholders and interested parties in reviewing and strengthening the arrangements in place for the control of building activity.