Vol. 545 No. 4
418 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason approval has not been given for the refurbishment and extension of Barnaderg national school, Tuam, County Galway; if his attention has been drawn to the conditions in the school; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that three classrooms have above the permitted levels of radon gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30808/01]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that architectural planning for a building project at Barnaderg national school, Tuam, Co Galway is under way at present.
I am aware that the results of the radon survey commissioned by my Department which were issued very recently show that the level of radon in three rooms in the school are above the reference level for mitigation set by my Department in consultation with the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland. A radon mitigation system will be installed in the school as soon as this can be arranged. Officials from my Department have already been in contact with the school authorities in this regard.
Meanwhile, my Department is advising schools that increasing the natural ventilation in affected rooms by opening windows, whenever this can be achieved without discomfort to the users of those rooms, may be effective in reducing the level of radon.
