Advertisement We need your help now Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open. You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough. If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it. One-off amount I already contribute Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you. An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. Investigates Investigates Money Diaries Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine TG4 Entertainment Magazine The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories File image of construction in Dublin city.Alamy, file Just 600 out of 20,000 construction firms register for list to crack down on cowboy builders The public may not have access to Ireland’s construction register for another two years, the body told The Journal. 6.01am, 6 Jul 2025 Share options ONLY 600 CONSTRUCTION companies out of an expected 20,000 have registered with the body entrusted with cracking down on “cowboy builders” in the last ten years. The small number of builders that have signed up for the voluntary register, introduced by lobby group the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) in 2014, highlights a need to introduce the replacement, compulsory register. The compulsory register, which would give greater protections to consumers, was originally earmarked for last year, but there is still no date has yet been set for its commencement. Although housing minister James Browne has said that he hopes it will be introduced this year, CIF do not expect it to be up and running before early next year When introduced, it will be mandatory for all providers of any building works, such as construction companies, builders, specialists and trades people, to be registered. Consumers can then verify the validity of companies or contractors using the online resource. Providers may be sole traders, partnerships, companies, corporations, special purpose vehicles, subsidiaries and joint ventures, according to CIF, which will also become the industry regulator. Promises made by CIF and Housing Minister James Browne around the timeline are now being questioned, given that it already now seven months into 2025. Housing minister James Browne told Limerick City TD Conor Sheehan last week that approximately 600 building companies have signed up to a voluntary register, set up by CIF in 2014. CIF previously told The Irish Daily Mail in January that it was expecting up to 20,000 firms to eventually sign up to its mandatory register. Sheehan told The Journal that without a compulsory database, consumers have “no protection from cowboy builders”. He described the voluntary register as a “chocolate fireguard”. Advertisement “People have had their homes wrecked by a minority of unscrupulous builders,” he said, adding that the public need to have the correct protections against “defective builders and defective buildings”. Register not available for two more years The Journal how now learned that the mandatory register may not be made available to the public until early 2027, despite Browne claiming last week that work on the compulsory list would begin this year. Previous reporting suggested the register would commence last year. CIF, a representative organisation for the construction industry, told The Journal it anticipated that the register won’t open until early next year. A spokesperson said: “In consultation with, and approval from, the Department of Housing, it is anticipated that applications for [mandatory register] will open by early 2026 with a phased approach.” Consumers will be able to verify trusted practitioners using the database after a 12 registration month period, CIF said. This means the public may not gain access to the register until early 2027. It is understood that firms involved in the construction of scheme homes, such as new housing estate developments with a certain number of units allocated to social housing, will be invited to sign up to the mandatory register first. Asked about the extended timeline, Sheehan said: “I’m shocked, but I’m not surprised. You can’t have a lobby group as a regulator.” CIF was appointed as the statutory registration body for a compulsory register of the sector in January 2023. The Construction Industry Register Ireland will be an online resource for public and private procurement of buildings and related services. Plans for a compulsory register came after the introduction of the Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 which seeks to crack down on so-called cowboy builders and “promote a culture of competence” in the sector. Sheehan said that the legislation has since gone from “weak to useless”. He intends to introduce stronger legislation that puts the register’s control with the National Buildings Control Office and tougher penalties for rogue builders. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Support The Journal Muiris O'Cearbhaill Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Just 600 out of 20,000 construction firms register for list to crack down on cowboy builders”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Just 600 out of 20,000 construction firms register for list to crack down on cowboy builders”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... conor sheehan Construction Industry Ireland Construction Industry Register Construction Industry Register Ireland Housing minister James Browne News in 60 seconds The Morning Lead 'It was apparent that we were in hot pursuit': The inside story of the raid on the MV Matthew Niall O'Connor Croagh Patrick Pilgrimage organisers seek priests willing to climb a mountain to hear confessions 11 mins ago Worst possible start for England as they lose Euros opener to France lee here now 'It was genuinely all anyone could talk about' - When Oasis rocked Páirc Uí Chaoimh your stories 'If I turn off my phone, no-one would miss me': Our readers on being lonely Here's What Happened Today: Saturday POCKET MONEY Parenting and chores: Dishwasher, bins overflowing? Call the staff to complain Gardaí investigate after 'bomb' defused at Limerick factory stop the lights Film lovers unimpressed after Dublin cinema 'left the the lights on' during screenings New South Wales Waratahs v British & Irish Lions, Australia Tour 2025 Cork v Dublin, All-Ireland SHC semi-final more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine TG4 Entertainment Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online