Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 524: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools found by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland to have classrooms with a radon concentration of greater than 400 Becquerels per cubic metre, itemised on a county basis; the number of these schools itemised on a county basis which have undergone remediation works to address this problem; the number of these schools which, having undergone remediation works, have been retested by the RPII; the schools which have not undergone remediation works; the schools which have not been retested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31873/06]

Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 526: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the 20 schools found by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland to have the highest concentration of radon; the concentration found in each case; the remediation work undertaken in each case; the results from re-testing following remediation work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31875/06]

Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 527: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools, itemised on a county basis, found by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland to have classrooms with a radon concentration of less that 200 Becquerels per cubic metre; the number of schools, itemised on a county basis, with classrooms with a radon concentration between 200 and 400 Becquerels per cubic metre; the number of schools, itemised on a county basis, with classrooms with a radon concentration of greater than 400 Becquerels per cubic metre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31876/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 524, 526 and 527 together.

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. The position generally regarding my Department's Radon Remediation Programme is as follows. In 1998 my Department commissioned the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) to conduct a survey of radon levels in all primary and post primary schools. In addition, in June 2001 circular letter M46/01 issued to all Boards of Management informing them of the Department's initiative and advising schools on the course of action necessary for radon mitigation. During the course of the survey, 4072 schools were invited to participate. The RPII wrote to each of these schools, enclosing a copy of the test results, and advising that the results of the survey be made available to all staff and parents. It was also recommended that a copy of the results be filed in the school's Health & Safety Manual for future reference.

The radon reference set for the workplace under the "Radiological Protection Act, 1991 ((Ionising Radiation) Order, 2000" (Statutory Instrument 125 of 2000)) is 400 Bq/m3. Notwithstanding the fact that the radon reference for workplaces is 400 Bq/m3, my Department has issued grants to all schools for the installation of suitable vents in classrooms where radon readings show levels between 200 Bq/m3 and 400 Bq/m3. Schools where the radon readings show levels above 400 Bq/m3 have been advised to secure the services of a suitably qualified consultant architect/engineer to carry out all necessary remedial works and these works are funded by my Department.

Following completion of remediation works, post-remediation measurements are carried out by the RPII to determine if the remediation has been effective. This process is ongoing and the RPII continue to carry out post remediation testing in schools. Radon barriers are included in the design of all new school building projects.