Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2023
353. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if he will report on his communications with the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications in respect of lung cancer caused by radon exposure; if he is satisfied with the adequacy of Government policy in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19994/23]
View answerRadon gas is recognised as a serious threat to public health and estimated to be responsible for approximately 350 cases of lung cancer annually in Ireland. The Government has established a National Radon Control Strategy (NRCS), which is now in its second phase covering the period 2019-2024. Implementation of the strategy is overseen by an interdepartmental and agency NRCS Group chaired by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. My Department is represented on this group by a HSE Public Health consultant.
Progress made in the last 12 months, and a key objective of the Strategy, includes the launch of updated Radon Risk Maps. The new maps update the radon risk assessment for the country and predict that approximately 170,000 homes nationally are at risk from high levels of radon gas. For more information, please go to www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/radon/sixteenth-national-radon-forum.php. Attached is a list of page views for the radon web page tabulated by month since the launch of the maps in May 2022.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a key Agency in the delivery of the NRCS. It hosts the www.radon.ie domain, which includes the radon map; it funds and coordinates research in the radon field, and it also carries out radon awareness campaigns, including around the revised radon map, through social media, local radio ads to mark International Radon Day, billboard ads such as those at bus stops, shopping centres, etc.
In 2022, the maps were also promoted through events, radon remediation training courses or specific briefings with key stakeholders, including Local Authorities, Health and Safety Authority Inspectors, HSE Estates, the Irish Building Control Institute and private contractors. Further events to highlight the maps are planned in 2023, including attendance at the National Ploughing Championship.
A Mid-Term Report to Government on Phase Two of the NRCS will be published shortly. This report sets out progress made towards delivering on the strategy and its actions between May 2019 and June 2022. Previous reports are available at www.epa.ie/publications/
While there are currently no financial supports in place in respect of radon testing or remediation measures, work to develop such a scheme is one of the action points for the current phase of the NRCS, which will run until 2024. Further information in relation to radon can be found at www.radon.ie
