Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I understand from the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland that it has issued almost 120,000 radon measurement detectors since the establishment of its radon measurement programme in the early 1990s. However, this does not indicate the full extent of measurements taken, as private companies also provide the service and detectors can be purchased from retail outlets.

Radon measurements undertaken by the RPII since the early 1990s have involved: over 31,000 houses, over 3,800 schools nationwide measured under a programme commissioned by the Department of Education and Science and over 1,600 workplaces.

A summary of the results, on a county basis, of the radon measurements carried out in houses up to 31 December 2006 is available on the RPII website www.rpii.ie. Approximately 13% of houses measured were above the reference level where remediation works would be recommended.

The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, has reported on the radon measurements found in schools, and the results on a county by county basis are also available on the RPII website. All schools which were found to have high radon levels have been remediated.

In regard to workplaces, I understand that of the 1,600 workplaces measured, approximately 10% were above the reference level for radon in workplaces. The Government, largely through the RPII, has for many years committed significant resources to assessing the extent of the radon problem throughout the country and to highlighting public awareness of radon and the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to radon concentrations. The RPII has consistently urged householders, particularly those in high radon areas, to have their homes tested for radon and, where necessary, to undertake the necessary remediation works.

Government efforts and resources, together with those of the RPII, will continue to focus on highlighting public awareness of radon and on improving information to householders to enable and encourage them to address monitoring or remedial requirements effectively and economically.

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