Vol. 519 No. 5
335 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to reduce radon levels in O'Carolan college and O'Growney national school in County Meath; the amount of money he will allocate to the project; when work will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14183/00]
These schools have recently received details from the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, of the outcome of a survey of radon gas in the buildings. This survey of all primary and post-primary schools was undertaken by the RPII at the request of my Department following indications of a problem with high radon levels in some schools.
The results of the first phase of the three year national survey relating to 685 schools in counties Carlow, Cavan, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow have been issued to the schools concerned. These results indicated that none of the rooms tested in 511 schools had a radon concentration above the reference level set of 200, Bq/m3 above which remedial action is advised. Of the remaining 174 schools the RPII advised that 13 schools, showing the highest level of radon, including O'Carolan college, require attention as soon as possible. O'Growney national school is not among these 13 worst-affected schools.
My Department has appointed a consultant to undertake this work. The mitigation programmes for five of these schools, including O'Carolan college, have been completed. The remaining eight schools have been inspected by the consultant and appropriate mitigation programmes are expected in my Department shortly. It is planned that the works will be undertaken during the school summer holidays.
The consultant will then consider and advise on the most suitable mitigation programme for the remaining less-affected schools, including O'Growney with priority being given to the areas of greatest need. In the absence of the advice of the consultant I cannot say at this juncture when the appropriate action will be taken in O'Growney national school. While I cannot estimate what the cost of the works will be I am pleased to say that the full cost of the mitigation programme will be borne by my Department.
