The Minister for Housing is being urged to review the building rules in respect of one-off houses.

Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick Donovan, believed the current system is placing an unnecessary cost on people trying to build homes.

Mr Donovan said: "The new regulations were introduced by the Department of Environment after some substandard houses constructed during the years of the last Government left homeowners in fire traps and crumbling shells.

"I accept that regulation of building is very much needed. However I know from my own constituency that people who have built up years of experience in the industry, but who might not have the required professional qualifications, believe that the current system excludes them and has increased the cost of inspection for the person looking to build."

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Inspections are now costing in the region of €6,000.

Mr Donovan continued: "There is a huge difference between a person building a one-off home and the construction of a housing scheme. For the individual constructing their own home, they are taking on all the risk on their own, as they want to make sure the house is properly built and they work closely with their builder to make sure this happens.

"The reality of the situation is that the majority of bad builds were part of bigger schemes. I am asking for a common sense approach which allows these highly skilled workers to build top quality one off homes, without incurring additional and unnecessary costs."

(CD/MH)