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

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.