My Department commissioned the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, in 1998 to carry out a survey of radon levels in all primary and post-primary schools in the country. This survey was to be undertaken in three phases and involves recording the concentration of radon gas present over an academic year.
I am aware that the RPII has collated and issued the results to the schools which participated in the first phase of the survey. This phase included schools in County Westmeath.
The 13 schools in Westmeath which showed levels in excess of the national reference level are as follows: Coole national school; Kilcumeragh national school, Rosemount; St. Oliver Plunkett boys' national school, Moate; Cornamaddy national school; Scoil Odhran Naofa, Slanemore, Mullingar; Scoil Mhuire, Raharney; St. Tola's national school; Scoil Ni Chruimin Naofa, Multyfarnham; Our Lady's Bower, Athlone; St. Joseph's College, Athlone; St. Finian's College, Mullingar; Wilson's Hospital School, Multyfarnham; St. Joseph's secondary school, Rochfortbridge.
An expert in this field will be appointed soon and arrangements made for a mitigation programme with priority being given to the cases of greatest need.
The full cost of mitigation will be met by my Department.
