Bring back Radon Remediation Grants Scheme

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is present in many Irish homes. It can cause cancer if levels are allowed to remain high.
Ciarán Cuffe TD, Green Party Environment spokesperson said today, ?The Minister for the Environment has announced new guidelines for Radon barriers in new homes, yet he is doing nothing for those living in older houses.?
?The Green Party want Minister Dick Roche to reintroduce a Remediation Grants Scheme to the worst affected areas in Ireland. People should be given some financial help in situations where the levels of radioactivity are very high.?
?Homes built from granite stone and built in areas which are rich in granite can have very high levels of this gas. Often PVC replacement windows make the situation worse by making homes airtight thereby reducing air circulation.?
?There was provision for radon remediation grants to offset 50% of the cost to householders, set out in the Radiological Protection Amendment Act of 2002. However, due to Government budget constraints the scheme was scrapped in 2003.?
?It is estimated that 10-15% of all lung cancers are linked to radon resulting in 160 to 200 deaths every year according to the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland. An estimated 91,000 or 7% of the nations' homes are at risk from levels exceeding safety limits. Instead of just looking at new dwellings Minister Roche should be addressing the problem in existing homes that is killing hundreds of people every year.?