Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 767: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he intends to take in view of the alarmingly high levels of radon in homes here; and if he will reintroduce a grant system to assist those wishing to fit radon barriers to their homes. [27635/06]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 775: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce free testing for radon gas in areas of high radon. [27643/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 767 and 775 together.

During the period 1992 to 1999, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) carried out a nationwide survey of radon gas in domestic dwellings. The survey involved the measurement of radon in some 11,000 houses nationwide. Based on the results of this survey, the RPII estimated that some 91,000 houses nationally, equivalent to about 7% of the national housing stock, have radon concentration levels in excess of 200 Becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3). This is the National Reference Level adopted by Government in respect of houses, and is the level above which it is recommended that radon remediation works should be considered.

The RPII's website — www.rpii.ie — contains a comprehensive map which shows the location of High Radon Areas throughout the country, i.e., areas where 10% or more of the houses are estimated to have radon levels in excess of the National reference Level. County radon maps and survey results can be viewed also on that web-site by clicking on the county by name.

Of the approximately 30,000 houses tested to date by the RPII for radon, some 200, or about 1%, had radon concentrations in excess of 800 Bq/m3, a level considered by RPII as extremely high. Such householders are strongly urged by the RPII to undertake immediate radon remediation measures on their house.

The Government, largely through the RPII, has for many years now 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. Householders, particularly those in high radon areas, have been strongly encouraged to have their homes tested for radon and to undertake radon remediation works where necessary.

Technical guidance on radon remediation techniques is available in a booklet issued by my Department called Radon in Buildings — Corrective Options and which is available on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. The RPII has also issued guidance entitled Understanding Radon Remediation — A Householders' Guide. This is available on the RPII website, as is a list of companies who can provide a radon remediation service and can offer specific advice and recommendations.

In June 1997, my Department introduced upgraded building regulations which required all new buildings, including new houses, which commenced construction on or after 1 July 1998 to incorporate radon protection measures at the time of construction. In October 2004, my Department published an updated edition of Technical Guidance Document C on Part C of the Building Regulations (Site Preparation and Resistance to Moisture) incorporating enhanced radon prevention measures for new buildings commencing on or after 1 April 2005. This new guidance document is aimed at ensuring that the 1997 radon protection measures are carried out more effectively.

On the question of grant assistance, and as stated in reply to Questions Nos. 82 and 98 of 13 June 2006, increasing the awareness of the public is considered to be a more effective approach than the provision of State financial assistance schemes to householders for radon testing of their homes or for radon remediation works. Such schemes of assistance are not operated by the majority of EU Member States. It would be difficult for a demand-led scheme of domestic radon grants to ensure appropriate and cost effective targeting of remedial action. Furthermore, such a scheme could require very significant public expenditure and administrative resources. The testing of houses for radon is a relatively straightforward, non-invasive and inexpensive (approximately €50) process.

As is clear from the above, considerable resources are being expended by Government on promoting public awareness of radon. Government efforts and resources, together with the RPII, will continue to focus on highlighting public awareness of radon and on improving information to householders and employers so as to enable and encourage them to address monitoring or remedial requirements effectively and economically.