Question on new building regulations

Question No. 7

Chun an Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil:
To the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government:

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he has considered the concerns of the RIAI in respect of the new regulations regarding the inspection of building works at key stages during construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Thomas Pringle.

For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 12th March, 2014.

Ref No: 11912/14

REPLY

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Mr. P. Hogan)

Every effort has been made to ensure that arrangements have been in place for a successful transition to the new building control arrangements on and from 1 March 2014.

The new online Building Control Management System (BCMS) has been developed to provide a common platform for clear and consistent administration of building control matters across the local authority sector. Briefing and guidance on the new system has been provided for local authority staff and representatives of the key construction sector professional bodies and the Construction Industr y Federation in recent weeks.

The definitive Code of Practice for Inspecting and Certifying Buildings and Works, was circulated to industry stakeholders on 7 February 2014.

Standard forms of contracts used for both private and public sector projects fall to be revised to reflect the new regulatory environment. The Government Construction Contracts Committee and the key construction professional bodies both report strong progress in advancing this work within their respective sectors. The Government has established an oversight group to ensure no unavoidable delays will occur in relation to critical public infrastructure projects at a time when construction activity and employment depends significantly on public sector investment. Briefing and guidance is available within the public and private sector to deal with contractual challenges and procurement issues that will inevitab ly arise as change takes place.

The above measures (i.e. the BCMS, the Code of Practice and guidance on contracting matters) are the key supports necessary to ensure the new regulatory arrangements can work well in practice.

C oncerns that the new regulations prevent a self-build situation are unfounded although all house-builders/owners must comply with the relevant requirements . An owner who intends to self-build will, as before, assume legal responsibility for ensuring that the building or works concerned are compliant and they will be required, as builder, to sign the Undertaking by the Builder and the Certificat e of Compliance on Completion.

As local authorities and industry now move to full implementation of the new regulatory arrangements, my Department will continue to work with all parties to ensure they understand their obligations and the steps necessary to meet them.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

•