The decision by the Government to fund 50 per cent, up to a maximum of £800, of the cost of remediation work to control cancer-inducing radon gas in dwelling houses has been criticised by the Fine Gael public enterprise spokesman, Mr Jim Higgins.
"The full cost of the remediation work should be borne by the Government because of the fact that the householders are simply the victims of their geographical location," Mr Higgins said.
The Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise, Mr Joe Jacob, said the Radon Remediation Grant Scheme, approved by the Government in September 2000, is due to begin in the second half of this year. "I am hopeful that the scheme will encourage householders with high radon concentration levels in their homes to undertake the appropriate remediation works", he said.
However, Mr Higgins said such work could be quite expensive.