Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 1 Oct 1997

Vol. 480 No. 7

Written Answers. - Radon Gas.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

29 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will ensure that adequate funding is available to allow for the full implementation of the radon grant scheme in 1998; if the necessary preparatory work has been completed to allow the scheme to start on 1 January 1998; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14930/97]

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

54 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the high levels of radon gas found in certain caves which are frequented by the public and which give rise to dangerous levels of exposure to the gas to persons who work in these caves as guides and so on. [14928/97]

Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise (Mr. Jacob)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 29 and 54 together.

I propose to implement the radon grant scheme at the earliest possible date and it is my sincere hope that its early introduction will enable us to take the first steps in assisting householders to deal with this problem. Accordingly, I have sought funding of £200,000 in the context of my Department's 1998 Estimate submission to finance the scheme in its first year of operation. A considerable amount of preparatory work on the scheme has already been carried out within my Department and details of the scheme will be announced as soon as possible.

Turning to the matter of radon in showcaves, I am aware that high levels of radon gas have been found in certain cave environments. Due to the subterranean origin of radon, underground locations are particularly susceptible to high radon levels. Because of the possibility that persons working as guides in such caves could incur relatively high radiation doses, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland have in recent years conducted a programme of monitoring in caves.

The results of this programme indicate that a number of guides may be receiving high radiation doses and the institute have written to a number of cave owners advising them to introduce a programme of monitoring workers. In addition, the institute have suggested that owners take all measures possible to reduce the exposure to workers. These measures include increasing ventilation and limiting the hours workers spend in the caves.