Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
609. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage where a person who purchased a local authority affordable home but has since identified structural issues or quality issues with said house should report these issues; the remedies that are available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16924/26]
View answerThe sale of a home, including homes sold to eligible affordable housing applicants under the Affordable Housing Act 2021, is subject to a contract for sale between the builder/developer and the purchaser. Disputes between the parties in relation to the structural integrity or quality of the home provided are generally a matter for the parties to the contract, and their agents, subject to the terms of the contract in place between them.
The design and construction of buildings is regulated under the Building Control Acts in order to ensure the safety, health and welfare of people within the built environment. The Acts provide for the making of Building Regulations, Building Control Regulations and also set out the legislative basis for the system of enforcement.
The Building Control Regulations provide for matters of procedure, administration and control for the purposes of securing the implementation of, and compliance with, the performance requirements of the Building Regulations.
The primary responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the Building Regulations rests with the designers, builders and owners of buildings. Enforcement of the Building Regulations and Building Control Regulations is delegated under the Building Control Act to the local building control authorities (i.e. the 31 local authorities) who are independent in the exercise of their statutory powers.
