Vol. 513 No. 6
117 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science the remedial action, if any, he will take arising from the recent survey of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland which showed that one in four of the schools surveyed was affected by an unacceptably high level of radon gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3183/00]
Since 1998 the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland has been carrying out a survey of radon levels in all primary and post-primary schools in the country. The survey, which is being conducted in three phases, involves recording the concentration of radon gas present in a school over an academic year.
The RPII recently issued results to schools that participated in the first phase of the survey. A total of 175 schools showed radon levels somewhat in excess of the national reference level with 13 schools showing levels that require immediate mitigation. A consultant has already been engaged to advise in relation to this task.
In compliance with public procurement procedures, it is necessary that the contract for the appointment of an expert to advise on mitigation in the remaining schools requiring attention be advertised in the EU Journal. It is anticipated that an expert will be appointed in the near future. Thereafter, my Department will arrange for a mitigation programme to be drawn up, with priority being given to the cases of greatest need. My Department will meet the full cost of mitigation.
