Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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255. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to introduce legally enforceable standards for works carried out by builders, to protect the public from so-called cowboy builders; to establish a register of builders against whom legal actions have been taken successfully allowing the public to review the standing of builders before contracting work from them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35142/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Building Regulations set out the legal requirements in Ireland for the construction of new buildings (including houses), extensions to existing buildings as well as for material alterations and certain material changes of use to existing buildings. They set out minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings and works to ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings. The related Technical Guidance Documents (Parts A - M) provide technical guidance on how to comply with the regulations in practical terms. 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). Technical Guidance Documents are free to view/download on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/d9729-technical-guidance-documents/.

The primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Enforcement of the Building Regulations is delegated under the Building Control Act to local building control authorities (i.e. the 31 local authorities) who are independent in the exercise of their statutory powers.

The main objective of the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 (www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/act/15/enacted/en/html) is to develop and promote a culture of competence, good practice and compliance with the Building Regulations in the construction sector which will benefit consumers and the general public.

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) was appointed in January 2023 as the statutory registration body for the Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI). The registration body have delegated responsibility for the day-to-day maintenance of the register within the parameters set out in the Act.

The register will contain details of convictions or sanctions imposed within the previous 10 years under the Fire Services Act 1981 (www.irishstatutebook.ie/1981/en/act/pub/0030/index.html); the Building Control Act 1990 (www.irishstatutebook.ie/1990/en/act/pub/0003/index.html); the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (www.irishstatutebook.ie/2005/en/act/pub/0010/index.html) or relevant environmental legislation.

CIRI will operate in a similar way to statutory registration schemes for other professions. An Admissions and Registration Board was appointed in September 2023 and an Appeals Committee will be established shortly.

The Admissions and Registration Board are currently preparing recommendations to me, as Minister, under Sections 27, 28, 29 and 30 of the Act. It is expected that registration for the initial divisions will commence in 2025. The first division who will be required to register will likely be builders of housing schemes and apartments. Registration for various trades will happen subsequently.