COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 10, 2025

QUESTION NO. 8

QUESTION: Councillor D. Donnelly

To ask the Chief Executive what is the current procedure to deem a house/apartment A Rated (BER) in new current buildings? 

REPLY:

All new homes constructed by South Dublin County Council are required to have a Building Energy Rating assessment (BER) carried out as part of the completion and handover process for each development. The required BER standard for each home is set out in the contracting authority’s works requirements, issued at tender stage.

Upon completion of the development a suitably qualified assessor must complete a standardised assessment process (in accordance with the procedures set out by SEAI) based on the construction methods used, the heating methods employed, air tightness tests and any other relevant certificates and information. The BER rating which results from this assessment is registered with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. SEAI is responsible for administering the BER system in accordance with the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Each BER cert has a unique reference number, and can be reviewed on the SEAI website by searching for either the MPRN or BER cert number.

A valid BER Cert must be included as part of the overall submission to the Building Control Authority setting out the grounds for compliance of the development. A newly constructed building cannot be occupied until this submission has been validated by Building Control. Furthermore, a certificate of substantial completion will not be issued by the Employers Representative until the BER is received.