Noel Dempsey
Ceist:23 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will introduce a grant scheme for homes affected by radon in view of the Radiological Protection Institute Report. [18813/95]
Written Answers - Radon Gas.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:60 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the progress, if any, being made by the RP11 in testing for radon in Carlow and Wexford; the plans, if any, he has for extending this testing nationwide and the provisions, if any, available to assist people needing to radon-proof their homes. [2060/96]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 23 and 60 together.
On 5 December 1995, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland announced plans for a major survey into the presence of the radioactive gas radon in houses in Counties Carlow and Wexford. A total of 3,483 householders in the two counties (1,000 in Carlow and 2,483 in Wexford) were randomly selected from the register of electors, and invited to participate in the free environmental radon survey.
This exercise forms part of a nationwide survey being conducted into the presence of radon in dwellings and is scheduled for completion in 1998. The survey has been completed in eleven counties, is ongoing in six more and has now been extended to Counties Wexford and Carlow.
The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland have informed me that the uptake so far for the survey was 260 and 596 householders in Carlow and Wexford respectively. Radon detectors have already been issued to the participating householders in Carlow and are currently being issued to the remaining participants in Wexford.
I am continuously looking at possible ways and means of improving the public's uptake of the RPII's radon testing services and, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment and the RPII, exploring all available avenues open to deal with remedial measures. Where high radon concentrations have been identified, techniques exist which enable levels to be reduced. In August 1995 the Department of the Environment issued an advisory booklet which is designed to inform householders about radon in buildings and to provide guidance where it has been decided to take action to reduce radon levels.