Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 1996

Vol. 462 No. 2

Written Answers. - Radon Research Funding.

Noel Treacy

Ceist:

262 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the amount of money allocated for radon research in 1995 and 1996; the areas where the research will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4502/96]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland has responsibility for monitoring the levels of radioactivity in the environment, which includes the measurement and detection of radon gas. In 1992, the Institute initiated a national radon survey which will be completed in 1998. Radon measurements will be made in over 6,000 homes nationwide and a statistical evaluation of the results will allow the percentage of houses above the 200 bequerels per metre squared reference level to be predicted. Total expenditure by the Institute on the radon programme amounted to £127,000 in 1995 and £155,000 in 1996.

To date, the national survey of radon in houses has been carried out in counties Dublin, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Cavan, Longford, Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo and Donegal. In 1995 detectors were issued to counties Westmeath, Offaly, Laois and Kildare and to counties Carlow and Wexford in 1996.

The numbers of householders participating in each of these counties are as follows.

County	Participants
Westmeath	338
Offaly	376
Laois	434
Kildare	658
Carlow	260
Wexford	596

Later this year, the survey will be launched in counties Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Limerick and Clare. In addition to undertaking regional and national surveys of radon in houses, the Iinstitute also offers a radon measurement service to workplaces, schools and private houses on request.