The Disability Access Certificate (DAC) was introduced in September 2009 and came into effect on the 1st January 2010.
Where a DAC is required, is set out in the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2018 for certain classes of buildings or works, which will require a DAC, along similar lines to the FSC applications, as follows:

    • The construction of a new building,
    • The material alteration (excluding minor works) of:
      - a day centre.
      - a hotel, hostel or guest building.
      - an institutional building.
      - a place of assembly.
      - a shopping centre.
    • The material alteration of a shop, office or industrial building where –
    • the building is being subdivided into a number of units for separate occupancy.
    • additional floor area is being provided within the building.

    • The extension of a building by more than 25m2,
    • The material change of use where the building, becomes used as:
    • a day centre.
    • a hotel, hostel or guest building.
    • an institutional building.
    • a place of assembly.
    • a shop (which is not ancillary to the primary use of the building).
    • a shopping centre.

Whilst Article 20D (1)(b) of the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2018 notes that a DAC is no longer required for Material Alterations to a building containing a flat, it must be stressed that this does not exempt the works from the requirements of Part M (Access and Use). 

Article 20D (1)(e) notes that a DAC is not required for the Material Change of Use to a building, where:
    • a flat, becomes so used,
    • an office, becomes so used, or
    • an industrial building, becomes so used.

Article 20D (2) of The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2018 set out the classes of buildings or works, which do not require a DAC, again along similar lines to the application (or not) of a FSC, as follows:

    • An agricultural building,
    • A dwelling (other than a flat), 
    • A garage ancillary to a dwelling,
    • Certain other buildings ancillary to a dwelling,
    • A building used solely to enable inspection, repair or maintenance of fixed plant, building services, or machinery.

Council/Building Control Authority Fees

When lodged at the same time as the FSC Application; €500.00, otherwise it is €800.00.