COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

MOTION NO. 6

MOTION: Councillor P. Gogarty

That this Area Committee request the Chief Executive increase the number of random inspections of new building works in this electoral area to see if they are in compliance with BER insulation requirements, gas pipe shielding requirements and also to ensure that buildings are erected as indicated in drawings supplied with granted planning permissions; and if a list could be given of all sites inspected in the six months between 13th September 2018 and 13th March 2019.

REPORT:

It is the Assigned Certifier and not the Council who has ultimate responsibility for signing off on compliance with the Building Regulations. The National Oversight and Audit Committee (NOAC), a statutory body established by Ministerial Order, requires that the Council carry out a minimum number of inspections of between 12% and 15% of all new buildings the subject off a Commencement Notice. SDCC always meet and regularly exceed these requirements. Take note that inspections form only part of the duties of the Building Control Section. Increasing the number of inspections will require additional resources which are currently not available.

The Council does not inspect sites to ensure they are compliant with planning permissions. The Council receives approximately 1,000 planning applications each year, so it is not possible to undertake such assessments. There is an onus on all developers to comply with any planning permission obtained and failure to do so is likely to result in enforcement action being taken.

A schedule of all developments inspected for compliance with the Building Regulations between 13 September 2018 and 13 March 2019 in the Council's administrative area is attached