Minister for Housing commits to review inspection processes for one-off housing – O’Donovan

Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick Donovan has asked the Minister for Housing, Paudie Coffey, to review the building regulations in respect of one-off houses as he believes that the current system is placing an unnecessary cost on people trying to construct homes.

“The new regulations were introduced by the Department of Environment after some substandard houses constructed during the years of the last Government left homeowners in fire traps and crumbling shells.

“I accept that regulation of building is very much needed. However I know from my own constituency that people who have built up years of experience in the industry, but who might not have the required professional qualifications, believe that the current system excludes them and has increased the cost of inspection for the person looking to build.  

“I outlined to the Minister for Housing, Paudie Coffey, in the Dáil, that inspections are now costing in the region of €6,000 and this is not what was intended from the legislation. This is an issue that is particularly relevant to rural people building one-off homes.

“There is a huge difference between a person building a one-off home and the construction of a housing scheme. For the individual constructing their own home, they are taking on all the risk on their own, as they want to make sure the house is properly built and they work closely with their builder to make sure this happens.

“The reality of the situation is that the majority of bad builds were part of bigger schemes. I am asking for a common sense approach which allows these highly skilled workers to build top quality one off homes, without incurring additional and unnecessary costs.

“The Minister committed to me that he will publish new inspection guidelines immediately and that he will review the statutory instrument relating to inspections in the coming months. A full report is expected by the end of this year and I am hopeful that this report will contain proposals that will benefit owners and builders of one off homes.

“I commend Minister Coffey for his approach to this issue. It is clear that he is in tune with the needs of rural areas and that he recognises the importance of providing for one off homes in all parts of the country.”