The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland has responsibility for monitoring the levels of radioactivity in the environment, which includes the measurement and detection of radon gas. In 1992, the Institute initiated a national radon survey which will be completed in 1998. Radon measurements will be made in over 6,000 homes nationwide and a statistical evaluation of the results will allow the percentage of houses above the 200 bequerels per metre squared reference level to be predicted. Total expenditure by the Institute on the radon programme amounted to £127,000 in 1995 and £155,000 in 1996.