Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 1994

Vol. 437 No. 6

Written Answers. - Radon Tests.

Edward Nealon

Question:

622 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Education the number and the names of the primary schools in County Leitrim in which a radon assessment or measurement has been made; when these assessments or measurements were made; the exact findings of these measurements in becquerels per cubic metre of air in each school; the names of the schools where the becquerels per cubic metre of the levels of radon were of such a nature as to require preventative action; the preventative action, if any, that has been taken or is planned and the names of the schools involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Edward Nealon

Question:

623 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Education the number and the names of the primary schools in County Sligo in which a radon assessment or measurement has been made; when the assessments or measurements were made; the exact findings of these measurements in becquerels per cubic metre of air in each school; the names of the schools where the becquerels per cubic metre of the levels of radon were of such a nature as to require preventative action; the preventative action, if any, that has been taken or is planned and the names of the schools involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Edward Nealon

Question:

624 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Education the counties in which radon assessment or measurements have been taken in the primary schools; whether there was any significant difference in the findings of these measurements in the primary schools in County Sligo and the primary schools in County Leitrim with the findings in other areas throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 622, 623 and 624 together.

Radon tests have not been carried out in primary schools in County Leitrim.

The results of an assessment in 1992 of 63 primary schools in County Sligo by the Radiological Institute of Ireland indicated 32 schools with radon levels above 150 becquerels per cubic metre. The institute recommended that work be carried out to reduce these levels.

Tenders were invited for mitigation work to 26 schools and chairpersons of the boards of management of the schools were recently advised to accept tenders in each case. Tenders will be invited shortly for the remaining 5 schools — one school has since closed. Work has been completed in 7 schools.

It would not be appropriate to identify the schools in question.

During 1990 and 1991 tests were carried out in 439 schools in counties Clare, Mayo and Galway. The level of radon exceeded 150 becquerels per square metre in 22 of these schools. The necessary mitigation work has been carried out in these cases.