Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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154. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions his Department is taking to address the risk of lung cancer from radon gas which is estimated to be responsible for 350 cases of this cancer a year; if he has plans to implement radon testing of homes in high radon areas; if he has considered providing free radon testing for homes in those areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8292/23]

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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155. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the plans he has to provide grant aid to homeowners to install radon barriers in older housing stock in areas with high levels of radon gas; if plans have advanced under the National Radon Control Strategy; the specific actions that he has taken in the past 12 months on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8293/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 155 together.

Radon gas is recognised as a serious threat to public health and estimated to be responsible for approximately 350 cases of lung cancer annually in Ireland. The Government has established a National Radon Control Strategy (NRCS). The strategy is now in its second phase covering the period 2019 – 2024. Implementation of the strategy is overseen by an interdepartmental and agency group chaired by my Department.

A Mid-Term Report to Government on Phase Two of the NRCS will be published shortly. This report sets out progress made towards delivering on the strategy and its actions between May 2019 and June 2022. Previous reports are available at www.epa.ie/publications/.

Progress made in the last 12 months and a key objective of the Strategy includes the launch of updated Radon Risk Maps for Ireland at the 16th National Radon Forum in May 2022. The new maps update the radon risk assessment for the country and predict that approximately 170,000 homes nationally are at risk from high levels of radon gas. For more information, please go to www.epa.ie/publications/monitoring--assessment/radon/sixteenth-national-radon-forum.php.

While there are currently no financial supports in place in respect of radon testing or remediation measures, work to develop such a scheme is one of the action points for the current phase of the NRCS, which will run until 2024. Further information in relation to radon can be found at Radon | Environmental Protection Agency (epa.ie).

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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156. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of times the interdepartmental and agency group responsible for the National Radon Control Strategy met since February 2022; to provide dates for those meetings and a copy of the minutes for each of those meetings; the membership of the group; the attendance at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8294/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The interdepartmental agency group responsible for the National Radon Control Strategy (NRCS) has not met since February 2022. The next meeting of the group is scheduled for 6 April 2023. The group is comprised of representatives from the following Departments and Agencies:

- Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (Chair)- Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment- Department of Health- Department of Education- Health Service Executive (HSE)- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)- Health and Safety Authority (HSA) - Geological Survey Ireland (GSI)- Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)- County and City Managers' Association (CCMA)- Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI)- TUSLA

There is also the National Radon Forum, which is normally held annually, and provides an opportunity for those with a role to play in reducing the risk from radon in Ireland to meet and discuss radon activities and concerns.? This includes measurement companies, remediation companies, scientists, government representatives, local authorities, representatives of national agencies with responsibility for building standards, health and safety experts and the public. The 16th forum was last held in May 2022. Further information can be found at - www.epa.ie/our-services/monitoring--assessment/radiation/national-radon-control-strategy/national-radon-forum/.