The building control system plays an important role in facilitating construction activity and enforcing compliance with building standards to protect health, safety and welfare of persons using buildings.

Over the past few weeks the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has been liaising with the City and County Management Association, National Building Control Office, Chief Fire Officers Association, Department of Health, Health Service Executive and its Planning colleagues in relation to preparing, supporting and responding to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

As a result, a number of measures have been taken in relation to building control: 

• Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Covid 19) Act 2020
• Building Control Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 113 of 2020)
• Building Control Act 1990 (Section 5) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 112 of 2020). 

The circular BC03- Covid-19 Building Control measures provides the background to, and details of, these measures.