Vol. 547 No. 1
1239 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the primary and secondary schools in County Kildare which have radon levels in excess of 200 becquerels; the excess level measured for each school; the date the schools were surveyed; the schools where remediation treatment has been provided to date; and when he expects the remainder of the schools to receive the required remediation treatment. [1883/02]
My Department commissioned the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland to conduct a survey of radon levels in primary and second level schools in 1998. A programme of radon mitigation work has followed the results of the survey. To date an amount just in excess of 1.454 million has been paid in respect of the cost of survey and mitigation work.
The radon reference set for the workplace under the Radiological Protection Act, 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Order, 2000 (Statutory Instrument 125 of 2000)) is 400 Bq/mf7>3.
The survey was carried out in three phases. The results of phase I, test period from July 1998 to May 1999, issued to the participating schools in January 2000; the results of phase 2, test period from May 1999 to July 2000, issued in November 2000 and the results of phase 3, test period May 2000 to July 2001, issued in November 2001. All schools were invited to participate. Radon levels in 80 schools in County Kildare were measured during phase 1. A small number of schools that had not responded to the original invitation to participate were included in phase 3, following further contact by the RPII.
Active radon mitigation systems have been installed in three schools in County Kildare that participated in phase 1 where radon levels in excess 400Bq/m3 were measured. A system has been has been installed in one school that participated in phase 3 and arrangements are in hand to install systems in a another two schools.
Grant aid towards installing vents to improve background ventilation has been paid, or is about to be paid, to a further 15 schools in the county where radon levels of between 200Bq/mf7>3 and 400 Bq/mf7>3 were measured.
All schools in which any radon mitigation action is taken are offered post-mitigation testing.
