Owners of some 60,000 houses which require protective measures against the "silent killer" of radon gas, will be eligible for State aid under legislation passed in the Dáil yesterday.

The Exchequer cost over the next five years is likely to reach €60 million, with a maximum grant of €1,000 to each house.

Opposition deputies however have expressed concern that the grant was too small for low-income households.

But Minister of State for Public Enterprise, Mr Joe Jacob, rejected allegations that the grant was "totally inadequate".

He said the grant was "reasonable and fair" and represented about 50 per cent of the estimates of up to €2,000 given to the Department for the required work. "There is nothing perfect in this world and we never achieve the ideal," he said and while it could be better, "it is the best available".