Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 February 2013
136. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the action he will take to tackle the problem of radon gas in homes; if such homes will be exempt from the household charge; [6162/13]
View answerThe Government, largely through the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), has worked to assess the extent of the incidence of radon in Ireland, and to increase public awareness of the issue. The Government’s approach to radon, which is similar to that of the majority of EU Member States, is to concentrate efforts on increasing public awareness of the risks posed by radon in the home. Through support for the RPII’s radon advice and awareness work, my Department is supporting efforts to raise public awareness of the risks posed by radon, particularly in the home. Householders, particularly those in known high radon areas, have been strongly encouraged to have their homes tested for radon and to undertake remediation works where necessary. Since 1998 the Building Regulations require all new buildings to incorporate radon protection measures at the time of construction.
Technical guidance on radon remediation techniques is available in a booklet issued by my Department, Radon in Buildings - Corrective Options, which is also available on my Department’s website. The RPII has also issued guidance, Understanding Radon Remediation - A Householders Guide, which is available on the Institute’s website at www.rpii.ie, together with a list of companies who can provide a radon remediation service and offer specific advice and recommendations. In addition, the RPII can be contacted for radon advice on freephone 1800 300 600.
An Inter-Agency Group, established in September 2011 under the leadership of my Department, has been tasked to develop a National Integrated Strategy for Radon Control. As part of this process, some potential approaches to addressing the radon issue have been developed, and these are currently the subject of a public consultation process. Further information on this process is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides the legislative basis for the Household Charge. Under the Act, an owner of a residential property on the liability date is liable to pay the Household Charge, unless otherwise exempted or entitled to claim a waiver. The Act does not include a waiver or exemption in connection with radon gas. The Household Charge operated during 2012 and is replaced by the Local Property Tax in 2013.
