Architects' Alliance is a lobbying and information group. Architects' Alliance is an unincorporated association charged with protecting the interests of self-trained and other architects in Ireland. We presently speak for hundreds of practices from across the State.
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05/02/2019 NINE YEARS AND NO REGISTRATION ACCOUNTS
Michael Healy-Rae TD ((Kerry, Independent): PQ 673: - To ask the Minister for Housing; Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 268 of 23 January 2018, if he will address matters (details supplied) in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5648/19]
{Details: a) if he is aware that not one of the RIAI's 2010 to 2017 reports (alluded to in Written Answer to Question Reference 3359/19) includes the details of income and expenditure which are required by the Building Control Act 2007? and (b) whether those grave omissions will encourage the Minister to bring forward legislation to implement the consumer orientated recommendations of the Fennell Review (commissioned by his Department), especially recommendation #11 which is for the making of an independent, over-arching registration body for all construction professionals?}
Reply from Minister Eoghan Murphy TD (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael):- The Building Control Act 2007 designated the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) as the registration bodies for those professions.
The Fennell Review recommended in 2013 that in the context of any future reviews, consideration might be given to the introduction of an overarching supervisory regulator for the various professional bodies. However, subsequently, the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 were introduced, requiring greater accountability in relation to compliance with Building Regulations in the form of statutory certification of design and construction by registered construction professionals and builders, lodgement of compliance documentation, mandatory inspections during construction and validation and registration of certificates. A Certificate of Compliance on Completion is jointly signed by the builder and the assigned certifier. In effect, the statutory Certificate of Compliance on Completion certifies that a building is compliant with all relevant requirements of the Building Regulations. This has brought an order and discipline in relation to compliance on all construction projects and has enhanced customer confidence in this area; accordingly, I have no plans at this stage to introduce any new arrangements in relation to the registration of architects. As indicated in my reply to Question No. 268 of 23 January 2019, my Department will be reviewing the relevant reporting arrangements in relation to the RIAI's functions under the Building Control Act 2007 in the context of the reporting received in respect of 2018. The Department is currently engaging with the RIAI in this regard to improve the presentation of the relevant income and expenditure in order that there is full transparency in this matter.
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