These schools have recently received details from the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland – RPII – of the outcome of a survey of radon gas in the buildings.
This survey of all primary and post-primary schools was undertaken by the RPII at the request of my Department following indications of a problem with radon.
The results of the first phase of the three year national survey relating to 685 schools in counties Carlow, Cavan, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow have been issued to the schools concerned.
These results indicated that none of the rooms tested in 511 schools had a radon concentration above the reference level set of 200 – Bq/m3 – above which remedial action is advised.
Of the remaining 174 schools the RPII advised that 13 schools, showing the highest level of radon, which does not include Castletown or Culmullen national schools, require attention as soon as possible.