The Minister for Education and Science says that consultants are to be appointed to tackle the problem of radon gas levels in schools shown by a survey to be affected. Dr Woods, in the meantime, advised schools to ventilate rooms affected by radon. The Minister said a consultant had already been appointed to undertake remedial work in 13 schools identified by the Radiological Protection Institution of Ireland (RPII) in the survey as showing the highest levels of radon.
Five schools have been inspected by the consultant and the remaining eight schools will be inspected next month.
The level for long-term exposure to radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, in a school, above which the need for remedial action should be considered, is 200 becquerels (bq).
The RPII survey is being carried out to assess the radon levels in all primary and post-primary schools. Dr Woods said all schools had received information on radon and would be kept informed of new developments.
"Although the risks are low, I am not prepared to delay while there is any risk to the health of our children," Dr Woods said.
Ms Mary O'Brien, a member of staff and of the board of management of St Brigid's, Greystones, has said a report received by the school showed that the level of radon was below the safety limit of 200bq.
A report in The Irish Times on Saturday said that, according to documents in the Department of Education and Science, St Brigid's was among the 13 schools whose radon levels were so high that immediate remedial action needed to be taken. The school says it has been told no action is necessary.