Vol. 420 No. 9
49 Mr. Foxe asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the results of the survey concerning radon levels in schools in Counties Mayo, Galway and Clare; and the measures, if any, which have been taken to remedy the situation.
During 1990, the Nuclear Energy Board, now the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, undertook radon measurements in some 439 schools in counties Clare, Galway and Mayo. In 22 of these i.e., in approximately 5% of the schools surveyed, measurements of radon exceeded the investigation reference level of 150 Becquerels per cubic metre adopted by the Institute in respect of schools.
Follow-up measurements have been completed in 15 of these 22 schools and based on these measurements the school authorities and the Department of Education were advised by the Institute of the need for remedial measures to reduce the radon concentration in one or more classrooms in 13 of the schools. Measurements are still in progress in 4 schools and the remaining three schools have not yet accepted the Institute's offer to carry out follow-up measurements.
Remedial action in schools is ultimately a matter for the school authorities with the support of the Department of Education. In the case of the 12 schools mentioned above, the Department of Education in co-operation with the Office of Public Works and the school authorities have started a process of remedial action.
