1915. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the provisions exist under the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 to prevent an individual whose company has been dissolved, or who has been the subject of complaints or sanctions, from re-registering under a newly formed company in order to avoid debts, complaints or disciplinary responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63422/26]

1916. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the date on which mandatory registration under the Construction Industry Register Ireland will commence; the number of building providers registered to date; the enforcement resources and inspection powers assigned to ensure compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63421/26]

1917. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to clarify whether the mandatory registration requirements of the Construction Industry Register Ireland apply to smaller domestic building works, including extensions, roofing works and attic conversions, that may fall below the thresholds that trigger the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63420/26]

1918. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any consumer financial protection mechanism, such as a bond, guarantee fund or dedicated insurance scheme, exists or is planned under the regulation of providers of building works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 or otherwise, to enable a homeowner to recover losses where a registered contractor takes a deposit and fails to complete the work, carries out seriously defective work, or becomes insolvent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63419/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1915, 1916, 1917 and 1918 together.

A statutory register for construction in Ireland is being established in line with the requirements of the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 (www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/act/15/enacted/en/html). The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) was appointed in January 2023 as the statutory registration body for the register, which will be known as Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI).

The main objective of the Act is to develop and promote a culture of competence, good practice and compliance with the Building Regulations in the construction sector. This will benefit consumers and the general public.

Registration will be applicable to all building works providers, and will require mandatory information in line with Part 4 of the Act including names, contact details, relevant division of registration, competent person, details of relevant convictions or sanctions, enforcement notices and order of high court as per the Building Control Act and any other information the registration body considers appropriate. Provisions for the investigation of complaints and the imposition of sanctions, including suspension or removal from the register are provided in the Act. Section 47 confers statutory powers on inspectors appointed by the registration body.

The existing voluntary register known as the Voluntary Construction Register (VCR) lists approximately 500 building and contracting entities. It is intended to remain in existence until the statutory register is established. Information can be accessed at www.voluntaryconstructionregister.ie/.

Consumer protection relating to construction, maintenance or repair of existing buildings fall in the scope of Consumer Rights Act 2022 and Consumer Protection Law in general is under the remit of the Department of Enterprise Tourism and Employment.

My Department is working on the necessary regulations required to support the commencement of the remainder of the Act. It is expected that registration for the initial divisions will commence in early 2027. The first division required to register will likely be builders of housing schemes and apartments. Registration for other various builders of building works will happen subsequently.