A new register for the Irish construction industry was launched on 16 July, which will enable engineers, the public, public procurement authorities and other construction professionals to search for competent construction companies operating in Ireland.
The Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) has been set up by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) following discussions with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. It aims to separate experienced, competent construction companies from those that have given the industry a bad name.
Engineers, construction professionals and members of the public can now go online to the free site and search for construction companies, sole traders and builders operating in their region and who specialise in particular aspects of construction work. CIRI covers 39 distinct categories of activity, including everything from house building to extensions, plastering to carpentry and plumbing to electrical contracting.
Under the new Building Control (Amendment) Regulations, all those listed on the CIRI are deemed as being ‘competent’. This is important given the emphasis placed on hiring ‘competent’ builders and construction companies under the revised regulations. CIRI will be placed on a statutory footing in 2015 and the Government has committed to bringing forward the Heads of the Bill to achieve this goal by the end of 2014.
Some 201 construction companies, sole traders and builders are already listed on the CIRI register and another 565 companies and sole traders are at various stages of the application process. It is expected that there will be more than 2,000 entries listed on CIRI by the end of 2015.
The objective of CIRI is to help foster improved standards throughout the Irish construction industry. To be listed on the register, all applicants must show they meet the following criteria:
- Demonstrate they have construction competence and experience;
- Adhere to an industry Code of the Ethics and Obligations;
- Must be tax compliant;
- Commit to undertaking continuous professional development;
- Comply with health and safety regulations relating to the construction industry;
- Show they have the relevant insurance policies in place;
- Obey all the latest building standards and regulations; and
- Attend a CIRI induction course.
All those who wish to remain on the register are required to reapply on an annual basis to ensure they continue to meet these criteria.
“For too long, we’ve had a situation in this country whereby anyone can pass as a builder or construction operative, regardless of their experience and regardless of whether they were following the industry regulations,” said the then Environment Minister Phil Hogan at the launch. “That’s why I asked the CIF to work with the Department in establishing CIRI. Now we’ve a resource anyone can use for free and which aims to separate those construction companies and builders who can meet the standards from those who don’t.”
CIF director general, Tom Parlon echoed his comments, and said the CIF wanted to help promote the work of competent, experienced construction companies and sole traders. “Up until now, everyone in the industry has been tarnished by those who don’t follow the regulations and who don’t carry out their work in the proper fashion. CIRI will provide a vetted means of having construction companies and sole traders deemed competent, something which will be of interest to engineers and other construction professionals given the requirements under the new building regulations.”
Persons who intend to build and live in their own home or who undertake improvement works themselves
in their own home will not be required to register with CIRI. Any works undertaken in such circumstance must of course comply with all applicable statutory requirements under the planning, building control and Health, Safety and Welfare at work Acts. The register is available on
www.ciri.ie.
The full list of categories under which construction companies, sole traders and builders can be displayed on CIRI are:
- Extension and Refurbishment
◦ Both residential and commercial
◦ Residential only
◦ Commercial and industrial
◦ All
◦ Single houses
◦ Housing schemes
◦ Apartment buildings
◦ All
◦ General building
◦ Commercial and industrial
◦ Fitout
- Civil Engineering Contracting
- Electrical Contracting
◦ Both domestic/commercial and industrial
◦ Domestic
◦ Commercial and industrial
- Mechanical/Plumbing and Heating Contracting
◦ Both domestic/commercial and industrial
◦ Domestic
◦ Commercial and industrial
◦ Demolition
◦ Site infrastructure and development
◦ Formwork and structural concrete
◦ Piling and precast concrete
◦ Conservation and restoration
◦ Dampness protection
◦ Structural steel
◦ Masonry and blockwork
◦ Roofing and cladding
◦ Windows and glazing
◦ Insulation and airtightness
◦ Plastering and plastering systems
◦ Carpentry
◦ Floor, wall and ceiling finishes
◦ Fittings and furniture
◦ Painting and decorating
◦ Scaffolding and access
◦ Hard and soft landscaping
◦ Radon prevention
◦ Radon remediation
◦ Fire safety and fire prevention
◦ Joinery
◦ Onsite waste water treatment
◦ Building maintenance
◦ Traditional crafts
◦ Other building elements