Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for her important question. The national radon control strategy, which was published on 17 February 2014, was developed by an inter-agency group and sets out some 48 recommendations under six thematic areas. The ultimate aim is to reduce the number of radon-related lung cancer cases. While it is envisaged that the recommendations set out in the strategy will be addressed over a four-year period, it is also recognised that the full impact of the strategy may not be fully realised within this period, as many of the measures implemented will continue to reduce the radon risk in subsequent years.

Successful implementation of the national radon control strategy will require action from a range of Government Departments, public bodies and other stakeholders. It will require the clear identification of responsibilities, good co-ordination between the various stakeholders and effective monitoring of progress. Accordingly, a national radon control strategy co-ordination group has been established to implement and track the key recommendations in the strategy. Led by my Department, it comprises representatives from key Departments and agencies. This group will, inter alia, co-ordinate policies and actions on radon across the relevant Departments and agencies, monitor implementation of the strategy, report annually on progress and, at the end of the four-year period covered by the action plan, make recommendations to the Government on what further actions it considers necessary at that time.

While there are no explicit plans at present to establish a scheme of grant assistance for radon testing or remediation, the national radon control strategy, NRCS, co-ordination group is looking at a wide range of initiatives that seek to better integrate consideration of radon issues into other processes and actions. These include the use of information to be provided in property transactions to drive awareness and promote remedial actions, and also the installation of passive preventative measures in new buildings.

See this speech in context