Vol. 534 No. 4
228 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he is satisfied that all schools have been examined for the presence of radon gas; if the necessary precautions have been taken; if not, the timescale which has been put in place to rectify same if necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10950/01]
My Department commissioned the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, to conduct a survey of radon levels in primary and second level schools in 1998.
The survey is being carried out in three phases. The results of phase 1 issued to the 685 participant schools in January 2000. The results of phase 2 of the survey issued to the 1,056 participant schools in November 2000. Phase 3 is under way at present and the results are expected late this year. When phase 3 is complete my Department will review the position with a view to re-issuing invitations to schools who have not participated in the survey. This will be a very small number of schools.
The RPII indicated to my Department that 59 schools with very high radon levels should be given priority when installing mitigation systems. Systems have been installed in 33 of these schools and arrangements are under way to install systems in a further 24 schools. In one other school a detailed investigation showed that the only area with a high radon level was a non-habitable store. Re-testing will take place at that school but it appears that mitigation action may not be necessary. In one case the affected building has been sold and is no longer a school premises. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in 13 of the mitigated schools where preliminary post mitigation testing is complete the results show that radon levels have been mitigated to below 200bqMf7>3.
Active mitigation systems are required in another 54 schools. My Department has retained consultants to specify systems and arrange for their installation in 28 of these schools. At present my Department is identifying consultants for the remaining 26 schools.
