Vol. 559 No. 5
235 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the funding available to deal with radon and asbestos respectively in schools; the number of schools, primary and secondary awaiting remedial work with respect to the two substances; his further plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26816/02]
A nationwide survey of primary and post-primary schools is being carried out by the Office of Public Works on behalf of my Department in order to establish the position relating to asbestos in school buildings and to undertake any remediation measures necessary.
Where asbestos requiring removal is detected, either as a result of the survey or otherwise, arrangements to undertake the work in accordance with the relevant health and safety legislation are made by the Office of Public Works. The entire cost of the programme of detection and removal is being borne by my Department. The necessary level of funding will continue to be allocated to the programme as a priority.
Of approximately 4,000 primary and post-primary schools nation-wide, over 2,000 have already been tested. Where remediation works have been found to be necessary, these have either been completed or are under way. Remediation works have been carried out in approximately 800 schools to date. The testing and remediation programme will continue in 2003.
In relation to radon, in 1998 my Department commissioned the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland to conduct a three year national survey of radon levels in all recognised primary and second level schools. The survey took place in three phases. The RPII decided on the counties to be surveyed in each phase. All schools were invited to participate. Mitigation works for schools surveyed in phase one and two have now largely been concluded and phase three mitigation works are well under way. In addition, post mitigation testing by the RPII has commenced on phases one and two schools. This will continue for the foreseeable future.
A small number of schools did not respond to the survey invitation and their position will be reviewed when phase three mitigation works have been completed.
My Department is bearing the full cost of the radon survey and the mitigation programme.
