Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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88. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the public health risk from exposure to high levels of radon gas in homes in certain parts of the country, his views on introducing a grant scheme to assist with the implementation of the National Radon Control Strategy to provide financial assistance firstly to encourage householders to have a radon test carried out and secondly to assist a homeowner with the cost of remediation works where the radon level is found to exceed the recommended maximum level [45882/14]

Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The serious public health risk posed by exposure to high levels of radon gas in some houses around the country is well known. Radon gas is linked with 250 cases of lung cancer per year in Ireland, and the message of the national radon control strategy is to build awareness and get people to address the issue. In order to assist with the objectives and implementation of the national radon control strategy, I urge the Minister to introduce a grant scheme to assist with the cost of remediation works, which come to around €800 per house, and possibly with the cost of the test.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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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.

Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister. I am concerned that although radon has been spoken of for some years, having talked to the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and others involved in radiological protection, I have concluded there has been little effect on the general public. This is evidenced by the number of radon tests on houses. The map attached to the national radon control strategy shows certain areas with seriously high levels of radon. I believe part of the problem is that people feel a naturally occurring gas cannot be all that bad. The problem is that radon gets captured and cannot escape, thus causing a serious health risk. I live in Ballina, which has been identified as having a serious radon issue.

The level of radon gas was measured as the equivalent of 27 chest X-rays per day for the individuals living in the house in question, which is very serious. We need to consider giving grants in order that people can assist themselves.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this matter which, to be honest, is concerning. As I outlined, a programme of work is under way. I have asked my officials to assess the matter and, through the analysis being carried out, ascertain whether a higher level of concern is warranted than when the process started. That would mean that we might need quicker intervention measures. I will return to the Deputy on the matter, but I am not completely ruling out what she is suggesting at some level in the future. It may be possible to scale something in over a period of several years.

The Deputy is right about areas in which there are high radon levels. There are areas in most counties where radon levels are a concern, particularly in some parts of the south east, the west, the south west and the north west. In some areas more than 10% of houses may have radon levels above the reference level. The map is disturbing when analysed in detail. This is my commitment. A group is in place and undertaking work as part of the four year programme. We will look into the matter to determine whether, through the group's analysis, the concern level has heightened to a point where we might need to deal with matter in a more direct and interventionist way.

Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I would welcome an assessment of the information campaign undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency. Last week an information campaign was run in County Mayo and several public meetings were held. By no means were the numbers who turned out overwhelming, notwithstanding the radio campaign and so on. People are concerned that this will open a can of worms. They are concerned that they will find out that there are excessive levels of radon in their houses and that they will have to undertake remediation works. Many of them would be unable to afford to pay €800 for this work. We could simply focus on areas that have been identified as high risk where there is uranium in the undersoil and soil conditions are such a person should examine his or her house to establish whether he or she is in danger or at risk from high levels of radon gas. We should support people and any support provided should be meaningful. When they find out that they have a problem, they should be assured that there will be some assistance towards the cost of fixing the problem.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The Deputy has raised a good question. The work of the EPA is ongoing. The public awareness campaign has been moderately successful. On the map to which I referred certain areas have been identified as having higher than normal levels or spikes. That is where the EPA has concentrated its campaign. Having said that, there is a necessity to intensify the campaign to create an organic awareness of this issue. People are aware that there is an issue, but it needs to get more into the mainstream of their consciousness. I have asked officials to consider ways in which we can ensure the EPA, working through my Department, will be able to do this.