[ Consultation ] In accordance with its policies, every three years the Board reviews its fees.

The last fees review was carried out during 2018 and resulted in the fees that have applied since 1 April 2019.

The Board undertook a review during 2021 that resulted in fees being introduced in time for the licence year that starts on 1 April 2022.

The Board consulted with the industry on the proposed fees and levy and sort feedback during the period of 20 May-30 June 2021.

At its meeting on 27 July 2021 the Board made a final decision to proceed with the new proposed fees.

Results of the consultation

• 35,363 people viewed email communications about the consultation.
• 708 of those people sought out more information about the consultation.
• 73 people went on to view the online submission process.
• 40 people started to make a submission.
• 32 people made a submission online – 2 people emailed in a submission.

The consultation document asked people what changes they would like made to the proposed fee and levy and their reasons. People were also asked if they would like to make any other comment on matters relating to the review.

Not all of the 34 responses received were opinion-related to the questions asked about the fees review. Some responses misunderstood the role of the Board and addressed the role of an industry association.

The Board noted that some submitters expressed their unhappiness at having to pay the disciplinary and prosecution levy.

Why the disciplinary and prosecution levy?

• There is benefit to all of the industry from disciplinary and prosecution cases. Disciplinary cases identify bad practices and unacceptable behaviour. They are an important means of setting and maintaining appropriate standards within the industry.
  
  
• There is a benefit to the industry from prosecuting people who work without an authorisation in the courts. Sanitary plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying are restricted trades meaning only authorised people can carry them out.
  
  
• This gives practitioners a right to do work that others don’t have. There is a benefit to the industry in keeping unauthorised people out who put people at risk because they are unskilled and bring the industry into disrepute.

Funding applications

• The Board has approached the Minister for Building and Construction a number of times seeking public funding to cover the prosecution levy - given there is also a public benefit from this work.