Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2022
269. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the number of primary and secondary schools that are in high-risk areas for radon exposure and the percentage of those that have been tested for radon, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28566/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the Department is aware that last week the EPA published new radon maps for Ireland that update the radon risk assessment for the country and the national reference level has been reduced to 300 Bq/m3 measured over a three-month period which was previously 400 Bq/m3 measured over a three-month period. Between 1998 and 2002, on behalf of the Department of Education, all schools in the free education system were invited to be tested for radon. 38,531 ground floor classrooms and other rooms were tested for radon in this survey. Schools with radon levels above 200 Bq/m3 were successfully remediated.
The Department will now assess the impact of the new risk assessment and then determine the appropriate next steps.
In the interim, if a school is located in a high risk radon area they may request funding for radon detectors under the Department's Emergency Works Scheme. To do this they must first refer to the Health and Safety Authority website for a list of approved radon detector suppliers, they must then get three quotes for the number of radon detectors required to test all occupied rooms on the ground floor of the building with the exception of toilets and storerooms. The quotes should then be emailed to emergency_works@education.gov.ie for processing.
