Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 503: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if financial assistance towards radon proofing is available to owners of former local authority houses that were found to have been above the acceptable levels of radon gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32483/08]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Scheme of Housing Aid for Older People is available to assist older people, generally over 60 years, to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out to their homes. Where a suite of works is being grant aided under this scheme, local authorities may also, as part of the package of works, assist with the provision of radon remediation works, where applicable.

There is no other scheme of grant assistance that exclusively targets remediation works in private dwellings with radon levels that exceed the National Reference Level. The Government's approach, which is similar to that of the majority of EU member states, is instead to concentrate efforts on increasing public awareness of the risks posed by radon in the home.

The Government, largely through the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII), has, for many years now, committed resources towards assessing the extent of the radon problem throughout the country. Between 1992 and 1999 the RPII carried out a comprehensive National Radon Survey (NRS) to measure radon concentrations in Irish homes. The principal objective was to identify the scale of the radon problem in Ireland and to identify areas at higher risk of radon contamination.

Householders, particularly those in known high radon areas, have been strongly encouraged to have their homes tested for radon and to undertake remediation works where necessary. Since the completion of the National Radon Survey the RPII has completed radon measurements in an additional 22,000 homes. This will continue to be the focus so as to enable and encourage householders to address monitoring and remedial requirements effectively and economically. Full details are on the RPII website.

Since 1998 the Building Regulations require all new buildings, including new houses, to incorporate radon protection measures at the time of construction.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 504: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if an application has been made by Cork County Council for a remedial grant towards the cost of radon proofing homes that are found with above normal levels or radon gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32484/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Cork County Council has recently undertaken radon testing on local authority houses in the North Cork area and is considering the results of these tests. My Department has not received any application for funding to undertake radon proofing works on the Council's housing stock at this time.