Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 607: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to address extremely high levels of radon gas recorded by the RPII in respect of areas in County Kerry, including Annascaul and Castleisland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35240/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Following the identification in July, 2003 of a house in Castleisland with radon concentration levels of approximately 49,000 Becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3), the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) undertook a survey of houses in the area. This involved the RPII writing to 2,500 householders in and adjacent to the town of Castleisland informing them of the very high reading found in the house in Castleisland and advising them to have radon measurements carried out in their homes. By way of response, some 400 householders in the area requested radon measurements. The results of that survey, and subsequent measurements of a number of houses in the area, show that the exceptionally high radon concentration level has not been replicated to date in other houses in the area. The highest concentration level found was just over 6,100 Bq/m3, while the average concentration was just under 150 Becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m3), which is below the national reference level of 200 Bq/m3. Radon measurements were also completed in respect of 89 local authority homes in Castleisland, none of which were found to have radon concentrations in excess of the national reference level. The levels of radon found in Annascaul by the RPII have been much lower than found in some of the homes in Castleisland and in neighbouring Tralee.

Over the years, the Government, through the RPII, has 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.

The nationwide survey of radon in domestic dwellings carried out by the RPII in the 1990s enabled the RPII to identify and define high radon areas, i.e. areas where the RPII would estimate that more than 10% of the houses have radon concentrations levels above the national reference level of 200 Bq/m3. The results of the RPII survey as well as a comprehensive map showing high radon areas in Ireland are available on the RPII's website at www.rpii.ie

Information to the public from the RPII, through press releases and radio and TV interviews, and published reports on radon, has regularly highlighted the risks associated with exposure to radon. Householders, particularly those in high radon areas, are constantly encouraged to have their homes tested for radon and to undertake radon remediation works where necessary. In this context, the RPII has produced a radio advertisement for use on local radio in High Radon Areas

Other initiatives to further heighten public awareness of the radon issue include the RPII's annual National Radon Forum. The aim of these Fora, the first of which was held in 2002, is to provide the opportunity for those with an interest in radon to come together and discuss issues of mutual interest. These Fora are open to the public and, therefore, help to further raise public awareness of radon. In 2005, the Forum was held in Tralee. The 5th Forum will be held on 16 November 2006 in Galway.

The RPII has published a booklet entitled Understanding Radon — A Householder's Guide, and has also produced and distributed an information poster on radon for display in libraries, medical centres, etc., advising people to have their homes checked for radon. In 2004, as part of a heightened radon awareness campaign, the RPII began a series of nationwide public information seminars, or roadshows, on the dangers of radon which are targeted at selected high radon areas. These involve the RPII meeting with local groups, including, where possible, the local authority and/or the local chamber of commerce; presentations to schools; hand-outs in shopping centres, etc. over a 2 to 3 day period. So far, the RPII has held 7 of these seminars or roadshows in different locations throughout the country, including one in Tralee in 2005, and more are planned. In addition, the RPII operated an information stand at this years's National Ploughing Championship and it is planned to run similar information stands at selected public events in 2007.

Upgraded building regulations, introduced in June 1997 by my Department, require all new houses commencing construction on or after 1 July 1998 to incorporate radon protection measures. In October 2004, my Department published an updated edition of its 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 construction 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.

In February 2002, my Department also published a booklet entitled Radon in Existing Buildings – Corrective Options advising designers, builders and home owners on remediation options for reducing radon in existing houses to, or below, the national reference level of 200 Bq/m3.

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.