Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
165. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to ensure that the next phase of the National Radon Control Strategy (2024) includes designated State funding for financial supports towards radon testing and remediation works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38785/23]
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 my Department. The NRCS Group last met in April 2023.
A Mid-Term Report to Government on Phase Two of the NRCS is available at gov.ie - Environmental Protection (www.gov.ie). 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.
The development of next phase of the NRCS will be discussed by the NRCS Group in the period up to 2024. The Group is scheduled to meet again in November 2023.
