Vol. 488 No. 4
66 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if the Government has advanced its consideration of the question of grant aid to households to rectify problems relating to high levels of radon gas; if financial assistance or other supports will be approved to rectify this problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6412/98]
The introduction of a radon remediation grant scheme to assist householders in undertaking radon remediation works on their dwellings has, for some time now, been under consideration in my Department, in consultation with the Department of Finance and other interested Departments. However, in the light of Exchequer commitments and overall budgetary constraints, it is not possible to make provision for such a scheme this year.
The Government is conscious of the need to promote awareness of the health risks associated with long-term exposure to high levels of radon in dwellings and action is being taken on a number of fronts to tackle this problem. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) is continuing to concentrate resources on a national radon survey which is aimed at identifying areas at greatest risk of high indoor radon levels. The institute's survey, which has been carried out in respect of 19 counties to date, is due for completion this year. Independent of this survey, the institute provides, for a small fee, a radon measurement service to householders who wish to determine radon levels in their homes.
The Minister for the Environment and Local Government also recently published revised technical guidance documents relating to the consolidated national building regulations 1997. The guidance calls for radon protection measures to be taken in the building of all new houses commencing on or after 1 July 1998. More elaborate radon protection is specified for new houses situated in high radon areas i.e., where the RPII surveys indicate that more than 10 per cent of houses exceed the national reference level of 200 becquerals per cubic metre.
Householders can also avail of a booklet published by the Department of the Environment and Local Government entitled "Radon in Buildings" which provides advice to householders and builders on preventative and remedial measures — which can be undertaken in new and existing buildings to reduce high radon concentrations.
