Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 23 Oct 2003

Vol. 573 No. 2

Written Answers. - Radon Gas Levels.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

176 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the allocation given in 2003 by the Government to combat the dangers associated with radon; the allocations given since 1997; the percentage of the country where radon emissions exceed acceptable standards; the details of public information campaigns that are planned to raise public awareness of the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24629/03]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen):

Over the years the Government, through the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, has committed significant resources to assessing the extent of the radon problem and to highlighting public awareness of it.

The RPII is allocated a grant-in-aid by Government every year to carry out its functions. They include providing information to the public on any matter relating to radiological safety and protection, including radon. Given the range of the RPII's activities, it would not be possible accurately to determine the amount spent annually by the RPII on radon matters.

My Department's building standards section has spent some €8,000 on producing a number of different guidance documents on radon since 1998.

My Department is also developing guidelines for local authorities. They will recommend that local authorities undertake a programme of testing for radon in their existing rented housing stock, excluding flats above ground floor level. This programme will be prioritised in areas where high radon levels are identified by the RPII. It will involve remediation works by the local authorities where necessary. These guidelines will be issued in the new year.

The Department of Education and Science has spent some €3.3 million under a radon remediation programme for primary and post-primary schools since 1998 when the programme commenced.

During the years 1992 to 1999, inclusive, the RPII carried out a national survey of radon in domestic dwellings aimed at assessing the extent of the radon problem in homes. The survey involved the measurement by the RPII of radon for a 12 month period in a random selection of homes in each 10 km x 10 km grid square. Based on the results of its survey, the RPII estimated that 91,000 homes, or 7% of the total housing stock, had radon concentration levels above the national reference level. The RPII also estimated that 234 of the 837 10 km x 10 km grid squares, or 28% of the surface area of the country, could be classified as high radon areas. In other words, areas where the RPII has predicted that more than 10% of houses exceed the national reference level. High radon areas exist in all counties. However, they are more prevalent in the west and the southeast.

The RPII's website contains a comprehensive map of the high radon areas in Ireland and its report on the national survey of radon in homes.

The publication and launch by the RPII of its various reports relating to its survey have raised public awareness of radon. Today, in Galway, the RPII is holding the second of a series of three national radon fora to raise the awareness of radon as a health risk.

During November the RPII will launch a media campaign on radon in the workplace. Advertisements will be placed in 13 local newspapers in Counties Carlow, Clare, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Mayo, Sligo, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow.

As part of a more focused awareness campaign the RPII has written to households in the four 10 km x 10 km national grid squares adjoining the town of Castleisland. They were informed of the unusually high radon levels detected in a house in Castleisland and were advised to have radon measurements carried out. Each householder also received an information pamphlet on radon from the RPII.

Both the RPII and my Department will continue to use all appropriate opportunities to raise public awareness of radon.