Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the World Health Organisation international radon project co-ordinators' attention has been drawn to the fact that in 1997 the Government scrapped a radon remediation grant scheme for householders; if this issue has been raised in view of the 200 deaths per year which are linked to radon exposure here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30297/05]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the financial constraints within his Department which prevent the introduction of a radon remediation grant scheme for householders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30298/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 203 together.

Ireland, through the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, is actively participating in the World Health Organisation's international radon project and will continue to support this work. Exchanges of information on national experiences are an ongoing part of the international radon project and RPII would have contributed briefing on the Irish experience.

As I have previously stated, Government efforts and resources, together with the RPII, are continuing 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.

The Government has over the years, largely through the RPII, 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 high radon concentrations. For many years now, the RPII has been encouraging householders, particularly those in high radon areas, to have their homes tested for radon and to undertake radon remediation works where necessary. This approach is considered to be more effective than the introduction of a demand-led scheme of domestic radon remediation grants.

It should be noted that a recent European study shows that, for those exposed to similar concentrations of radon, the risk of contracting lung cancer is 25 times greater for those who smoke and that the vast majority of the radon-induced lung cancer cases occur among smokers and ex-smokers.