Building control regulations under review

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Paudie Coffey, together with Minister Alan Kelly have initiated a review of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 9 of 2014).

The new regulations commenced in March last year and the department is now initiating a review, as the regulations have now been operational for 12 months. The review will focus particularly on the cost burden involved for one-off houses, including self-build, and extensions to existing dwellings.

Minister Coffey said,”The regulations were introduced last year to ensure competence and professionalism in construction and to bring accountability to bear within the industry following the scourge of defective building works that had become all too common. Owners, builders, construction professionals and local authorities have gained a lot of practical experience of the new regulatory requirements on some 6,000 projects, big and small, that commenced since March 1, 2014. I am confident that a lot of learning will come through in the review that will allow me to refine and streamline the regulatory process so as to ensure that the building process can work effectively to serve the needs of industry and of consumers.”

“Our objective is to empower consumers to get a fair price for the actual inspection work they require”, Minister Kelly said.

“A number of cases have been brought to my attention and my colleague Minister Coffey whereby consumers have been quoted outlandish charges for professional services in relation to residential construction projects. It is worthwhile for homeowners to have the home they invest in checked and inspected but, they should not have to pay an inflated rate for excessive inspection services,” he added.