Architects need more competition, report urges

COMPETITION among architects could be opened up and prices to the consumer reduced if the umbrella body for the sector revised some of its rules and key changes were made, a report has concluded.

The architectural profession has relatively limited restrictions on entry and rules which prevent certain competition. It also has a light regulatory structure focused more on ensuring safety standards than anything else, the Competition Authority report says.

As part of a consultation paper on the Architectural Profession in Ireland, the second in the series of reports into the medical, legal and construction professions, it recommends a series of changes in the sector.