Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 391: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will review a matter (details supplied) regarding radon gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15653/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in buildings. Exposure to high levels of radon increases the risk of lung cancer, especially for smokers. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) estimates that radon exposure is linked to approximately 150 to 200 lung cancer deaths in Ireland each year. The majority of radon linked cancers occur among smokers.

Most exposure to radon gas is known to occur in the home. However, radon exposure can also occur in the workplace, and employers, especially those in High Radon Areas, are encouraged to test their premises for radon and to take action to reduce radon levels where required. Regulations under the 1991 Radiological Protection Act established a national reference level for radon in workplaces of 400 Bq/m3.

Raising the awareness of employers about the potential risks from radon in the workplace is an element of the radon awareness programme operated by the RPII, which is the Government Agency with statutory responsibility for the provision of advice to Government and public about protection from the harmful effects of ionising radiation, including from radon gas.

The RPII implements a programme of inspections in workplaces in which radioactive sources or irradiating devices are used. The use of issue of radon is also raised by the RPII during these inspections.

Employers are obliged under workplace health and safety legislation to assess all health and safety risks in the workplace, including radon. The competent authority for the purposes of this legislation is the Health and Safety Authority which is an agency under the aegis of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding between the RPII and HSA, the issue of radon is routinely raised by HSA inspectors during inspections of enclosed ground floor workplaces in High Radon Areas.

Both the HSA and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation are represented on an Inter-Agency Group established in September 2011 under the leadership of my Department to develop a National Integrated Strategy for Radon Control. The necessity of developing further measures to address radon in workplaces will be considered by this Group as part of its overall remit.

I have no plans at present to establish a scheme of grant assistance for radon testing. Radon tests are available from the RPII and a range of private suppliers for a cost of approximately €60.