Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2023
154. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions his Department is taking to address the risk of lung cancer from radon gas which is estimated to be responsible for 350 cases of this cancer a year; if he has plans to implement radon testing of homes in high radon areas; if he has considered providing free radon testing for homes in those areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8292/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra155. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the plans he has to provide grant aid to homeowners to install radon barriers in older housing stock in areas with high levels of radon gas; if plans have advanced under the National Radon Control Strategy; the specific actions that he has taken in the past 12 months on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8293/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 155 together.
Radon gas is recognised as a serious threat to public health and estimated to be responsible for approximately 350 cases of lung cancer annually in Ireland. The Government has established a National Radon Control Strategy (NRCS). The strategy is now in its second phase covering the period 2019 – 2024. Implementation of the strategy is overseen by an interdepartmental and agency group chaired by my Department. A Mid-Term Report to Government on Phase Two of the NRCS will be published shortly. This report sets out progress made towards delivering on the strategy and its actions between May 2019 and June 2022. Previous reports are available at www.epa.ie/publications/.Progress made in the last 12 months and a key objective of the Strategy includes the launch of updated Radon Risk Maps for Ireland at the 16th National Radon Forum in May 2022. The new maps update the radon risk assessment for the country and predict that approximately 170,000 homes nationally are at risk from high levels of radon gas. For more information, please go to www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/radon/sixteenth-national-radon-forum.php.While there are currently no financial supports in place in respect of radon testing or remediation measures, work to develop such a scheme is one of the action points for the current phase of the NRCS, which will run until 2024. Further information in relation to radon can be found at Radon | Environmental Protection Agency (epa.ie).
