Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 397: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the fact that there was excessive radon levels in a third of schools here, her Department has plans or carried out tests for excessive radon levels in buildings under the control of or used by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39387/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department commenced a Radon Remediation Programme in 1998 when it commissioned the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, RPII, to conduct a survey of radon levels in all primary and post primary schools.

The programme initially involved surveying radon levels in schools and subsequently carrying out mitigation works where appropriate. The programme is 100% funded by my Department and has cost approximately €6m to date.

All schools have been advised of the programme and where excess radon levels are located, funding is provided for the mitigation works. Follow-up monitoring also takes place to ensure that the remediation action has been successful.

Radon barriers are included in the design of all new school building projects.