THE Minister of State at the Department of Energy, Mr Emmet Stagg, has asked the Minister for Finance to provide for a radon grant scheme in the Budget.
Mr Stagg said yesterday that the scheme, which would not be means tested, would cost around £500,000 in the first year and £3 million annually after that. Householders would have to get estimates for remedial work to reduce radon levels in their homes. The scheme would be run in conjunction with the Department of the Environment.
He said he was seriously concerned by the series of reports showing pockets of increased levels of radon gas. The scheme would allow the State to get its policy on radioactivity in order.
"Around 1,500 people a year die of lung cancer and according to international health organisations 20 per cent of that figure could be attributed to radon gas. That's 300 deaths a year."
Mr Stagg said he was aware of the long list of demands presented to the Minister for Finance and he would be discussing the request with Mr Quinn. He advised those living in hotspots identified in the latest survey to have their houses tested by the institute.