Radon Detection Scheme Needed

I called on Minister Denis Naughten to clarify the Government’s plans to help homeowners who are unsure whether their house has a Radon barrier or not.

Speaking after questioning Minister Denis Naughten about homes in Mayo that have higher than reference levels of Radon gas present:

There needs to be a scheme for the retrofitting of houses that are not covered by the 1998 Regulations. The Minister says that he cannot move until new primary legislation is enacted. I am urging him to make this new legislation a priority and to use his position at cabinet to

The current retrofitting pilot scheme covers 1400 homes in counties Roscommon and Galway and has been allocated €75 000. The Minister says that these areas were chosen due to their high level of Radon gas present. According to mapping carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency County Mayo has some of the highest percentage Radon present in houses in the entire State.

I want to see this scheme extended to County Mayo and eventually rights across the State. I have urged the Minister to prioritise getting the legislation right and to secure the funding. Radon exposure is a huge contributing factor in lung cancer cases. It is vital that any work needed to be done is done quickly. In this he will have the full support of Sinn Féin.