Building Control (Amendment) Regulations come into effect

On the 17th of December 2018 the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2018 came into effect after being signed by Minister of State for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Mr. Damien English T.D.

As part of Pillar 5 of Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, which commits to ensuring that the existing housing stock is used to the maximum degree possible, a recommendation was made by the Department that “a review of the Building Control Regulations 1997-2015 be undertaken to give further clarification with respect to the building control approvals required for material changes of use to dwellings”.

On foot of this recommendation a review was carried out, which has resulted in amendments to Building Control Regulations in respect of the application for Disability Application Certificates (DACs).

The main elements of the amended regulations are summarised below:

• The separation of the requirements for a DAC from the requirements for a Fire Safety Certificate

• Specification of the buildings or works which require or do not require a DAC

• Clarification of the application of DACs to existing buildings when brought back into use.

Full details of the amendments can be found here.

The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has provided a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), which may arise relating to the proposed changes to provide further guidance.

Further enquires should be addressed to Mr. Colm Cahalan, Higher Executive Officer (Tel: 01 888 2386) or to Ms. Claire Manifold, Executive Officer (Tel: 01 888 2893), or alternatively by e-mail to buildingstandards@housing.gov.ie