Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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140. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the measures his Department is taking at policy level to encourage and incentivise rain water harvesting (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35292/16]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Building Regulations, which are primarily concerned with the safety and well-being of persons in and around buildings, set down mandatory performance standards for buildings, and these performance standards are regularly reviewed and upgraded over time. The statutory requirements are set out in twelve parts (classified as parts A to M) included under the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations 1997 to 2014. Technical guidance documents (TGDs) are published to accompany each of the twelve parts in order to demonstrate how the statutory requirements may be achieved in practice. Where works are carried out in accordance with the relevant technical guidance such works are considered to be, prima facie, in compliance with the relevant regulation(s). Compliance with the Building Regulations is the responsibility of the owner or builder of a building and/ or the works.

Generally speaking, the performance standards set out under the Building Regulations can be met by a variety of traditional or innovative approaches. The Building Regulations and the accompanying TGDs leave it open to building designers to pick the optimum solution for the particular building concerned while ensuring that the mandatory performance requirements are met.

In this regard, Part H of the Building Regulations sets out the legal requirements in relation to drainage and waste water disposal. Part H was the subject of a full review which concluded in late 2010 with the publication of Technical Guidance Document H – Drainage and Waste Water Disposal (2010) which provides detailed technical guidance on water sustainability systems that are coming into increasing use such as rainwater harvesting systems and systems for greywater usage. A number of corrections and amendments were also made to TGD H earlier this year.

While there are no mandatory requirements to install rainwater harvesting systems in new buildings, the technical guidance provided in TGD H ensures that rainwater harvesting systems, where used, can be designed and constructed in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with the best available national and international guidance. I have no proposals to amend Part H to obligate building owners to install rainwater harvesting systems in new buildings.

Part G of the Building Regulations sets out the minimum statutory requirements in respect of hygiene. Technical Guidance Document G – Hygiene (2008 ) was amended in 2008 and, in the interests of water efficiency, introduced a requirement that dual flush toilets are now standard when toilets are being installed in new buildings or are being replaced in existing buildings.

My Department has also published design guidance for local authorities - Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities - which emphasise environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. The influence of this guidance extends beyond social housing provision to provide an important reference point in promoting sustainability issues in the built environment generally.