AQW 9726/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 09/04/2024
Answered On Date: 17/04/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance when building regulations will be reviewed and updated to ensure climate change objectives will be met

Answer:

Building Regulations contribute to climate change objectives in setting minimum standards for building work that is being undertaken or in certain cases of a change of use.

My Department has been working on a phased review of the relevant parts of the Building Regulations as set out in the Energy Strategy published by the Department for the Economy in 2021.

Consultation on a Phase 2 discussion document, published by my Department in June 2023, closed on 15 December and a departmental summary and response is planned for publication in Summer 2024. This will inform subsequent timings for changes to the Building Regulations here.

I can assure you that this is a priority for my Department, however, the complexity, scope and detail involved in this work means it is likely that the Phase 3 uplift will be in 2025.