251. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the specific timeline for the signing and enactment of the Building Standards Agency (Establishment) Order; the precise calendar month in the second half of 2026 targeted for the formal launch of the interim Building Standards Agency; the projected timeline for the publication of the general scheme of the Bill to establish the permanent, statutory Building Standards Regulatory Authority (BSRA); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53825/26]

In line with the recommendations of the report of the Building Standards Regulator Steering Group, I am currently implementing a two-stage process:

- the establishment of the Building Standards Agency (interim arrangement) and

- the subsequent move to the Building Standards Regulatory Authority (long-term arrangement).

As a first stage, a Building Standards Agency is being established under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act, 1971. The purpose of establishing this corporate body is to expedite the development of appropriate governance and management structures for the Building Standards Regulatory Authority, as well as to increase building control inspection capacity by recruiting competent technical staff to support Local Authorities.

The Building Standards Agency (Establishment) Order is nearing finalisation. Work is underway to put the necessary supports and procedures in place to facilitate the establishment of the Building Standards Agency. Progress on this work will determine the establishment date of the Agency.

My Department continues to work in partnership with the County and City Management Association and Dublin City Council to ensure that the transition from the current structures to the new structures will be implemented as efficiently and effectively as possible and that the continuity of services will be maintained throughout the transitional period.

In tandem with the work that is underway to establish the Building Standards Agency, preparatory work is underway in my Department on drafting the General Scheme for the Building Standards Regulatory Authority. It is expected that one of the roles of the Building Standards Agency will be to develop the governance and corporate structures, policies and procedures necessary for the future Building Standards Regulatory Authority. The Building Standards Agency will be afforded an opportunity to undertake this work before the general scheme of the Building Standards Regulatory Authority is finalised.