Statutory CIRI

Construction Industry Register Ireland

CIRI to be put on statutory footing

Darragh O’Brien, TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has welcomed publication of the Regulation of Providers of Building Works Bill 2021 which will put the Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) on a statutory footing. Once the legislation is enacted, all entities providing building services will be required to register with CIRI.

CIRI was established by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) and the Federation is expected to operate the statutory register. This is a similar model to that of registration for registered architects and surveyors. Approximately 800 building and contracting entities are currently included on the register but, once it is on a statutory footing, in the region of 5,000 entities will be required to register.

It is envisaged that builders can begin registering in 2023 and statutory registration will commence in early 2024.

The requirement to register will apply to builders of both residential and non- residential buildings that are subject to the Building Regulations. Employees of such building firms will not be required to apply but sole traders will. Eligibility for registration can be achieved through qualifications, experience or a combination of both. The criteria required for registration will be clear and transparent and will be set out in regulations.

Under the legislation, the CIRI will have a statutory “Admissions and Registration Board” with members appointed by the Minister. It will consist of a chairperson, nominated by the minister, and 10 ordinary members, five of whom will be nominated by the minister. It will also have an Appeals Committee.

The Bill will also provide for the CIRI to receive complaints against registered builders to be made on a number of grounds, including complaints against an entity providing building services in a category in which it is not registered. A range of proportionate sanctions can be imposed after investigation.

At present, the Building Control Regulations require owners, builders and registered construction professionals to demonstrate that the works or building concerned have been both designed and constructed in compliance with building regulations. The Building Control Acts (1990 to 2014) vest the powers of inspection, enforcement and prosecution in the 31 local authorities. The new legislation, when enacted, will complement a number of key measures put in place in recent years to strengthen the arrangements for building control. These include: Statutory certification of design and construction by registered construction professionals and builders (Building Control

Amendment Regulations (BCAR); The establishment of the National

Building Control and Market

Surveillance Office, which works with

Building Control Authorities, to promote a culture of compliance with the Building Regulations and market surveillance of construction products.

For full details on the new Bill see https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/ bill/2022/2/

Darragh O’Brien, TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Once the legislation is enacted, all entities providing building services will be required to register with CIRI.