Vol. 574 No. 3
164 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the findings which have been made available and the schools which had their radon problems addressed in the Inishowen area of County Donegal since 1998; and if he will make a statement on the future needs for these schools and other schools in the country. [26997/03]
In 1998 my Department, in consultation with the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, took a proactive approach to identifying and eradicating radon in schools. This commenced with my Department commissioning the RPII to conduct a survey of radon levels in all primary and post-primary schools. This survey predated legislation on the issue of radon in the workplace by over two years and the action taken exceeds any legislative requirement in that all schools, regardless of whether or not they were situated in areas of high radon, were invited to be tested. In addition, in June 2001, Circular letter 46/01 issued to all boards of management informing them of my Department's initiative and advising schools on the course of action necessary for radon mitigation.
During the course of the survey, 4072 schools were invited to participate, of which 3798 schools responded and were sent detectors. Radon surveys were subsequently completed in 3444 schools. Approximately 300 schools had radon concentrations above the workplace reference level of 400 Bq/m. These schools were advised to secure the services of suitably qualified personnel to carry out all remedial works specified by a consultant architect.
Where radon levels in classrooms were found to be above 200 Bq/m³ and under 400 Bq/m³, my Department issued a grant of €191 per classroom advising schools to install suitable vents in these classrooms. Over 800 schools qualified for grant-aid under this category.
Initially, following completion of remediation works, post-remediation measurements were carried out by the RPII within a three to nine month period after remediation had taken place. This process is ongoing and the RPII continue to carry out post-remediation testing in schools. Consultations are ongoing between my Department and the RPII on the issue of the long-term efficiency of radon mitigation systems, which have been installed in schools and also to ensure that radon levels remain below the accepted reference levels.
Some 565 schools did not respond to the initial invitation to have radon measurements carried out. Following consultations with my Department's building unit, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland has recently contacted the 565 schools that have not yet been tested for radon, including schools in Donegal, stressing the importance of assessing radon exposure of all staff and pupils, and has advised that my Department will meet the cost of the survey, and subsequent remedial work as required. I would also like to assure the Deputy that my Department's building unit ensures that radon barriers are included in the designs of all new school buildings.
A list of schools in Donegal that were found to have radon levels above 200 bq/m³ and a list of the Donegal schools that have not yet been tested for radon, included in the 565 schools mentioned above, will be forwarded to the Deputy.
