Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 238: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if adequate and appropriate action has been taken to address the issue of radon gas in all schools throughout County Kildare to the satisfaction of the school authorities; if further corrective action is required; if RPII has been in touch with her Department in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22130/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 to schools for the mitigation works. Follow-up monitoring also takes place to ensure that the remediation action has been successful.

The radon reference level 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 statutory reference level is 400 Bq/m3, my Department provides funding for radon levels exceeding 200 Bq/m3. Radon barriers are included in the design of all new school building projects.