Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan has said that new arrangements that will ease regulations on building single dwelling houses and extensions.
“The Minister for Housing, Paudie Coffey, has informed me that he has decided to remove the mandatory requirement for statutory certificates of compliance in respect of a new dwelling on a single unit development or a domestic extension.
“Owners, including self-builders, will be given the choice to opt out of statutory certification and may instead demonstrate by alternative means that they have met their general obligation to build in accordance with the minimum requirements of the building regulations.
“I understand that additional guidance, including a Sample Preliminary Inspection Plan, will be published to assist with this process.
“Last year new building regulations were implemented to ensure that we never had another Priory Hall or poorly built housing estates around the country again. These will remain mandatory for all multi-unit developments in the country.
“These new arrangements will make life easier for individuals and families planning to build or extend their own home. Nobody who invests in their own home would spend money on sub-standard work but people should not have to pay at inflated rates for excessive inspection services.
“This is an issue that I raised many times in the Dáil. I also discussed it directly with Minister Coffey and gave him examples of how the system was impacting on rural communities in particular that have such a high reliance on rural housing.
“The new regulations will come into effect from 1st September 2015.”