The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) met again virtually this morning, Sunday 05 January, to discuss the ongoing disruptive weather. A number of weather warnings remain in place, and a Status Orange Snow/Ice warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow and Munster has been extended until 8pm this evening.

Public transport continues to operate today, but people are advised to check with their operator before undertaking any journeys, as services may be affected depending on local conditions.

The Departments of Education and Transport and Bus Éireann met this morning to discuss severe weather in relation to schools. While the Department of Education anticipates that most schools will open as normal tomorrow morning, in areas affected by severe weather some schools may take a decision to close due to local conditions and safety concerns.

A decision to close a school is a matter for individual school management authorities around the country as they are best placed to do this in light of local weather conditions, which vary in regions. As school transport services may operate on rural, secondary roads, which may be untreated, this could result in disruption during a spell of adverse weather. Safety remains the foremost priority.  If a school plans to close or where transport is affected, communications of all such decisions will issue locally between schools and parents or transport providers and parents.

The Department of Education, along with other government departments, will continue to carefully monitor developments with the weather and engage with key stakeholders.

• conditions in the setting itself
• capacity of the setting to ensure the health and safety of children
• ability of parents and staff to safely negotiate local road conditions to reach the setting
• guidance and direction from the principal response agencies

Each Higher Education Institution will decide on the appropriate weather-related measures to take, having regard to the safety and wellbeing of those on campus, the weather conditions in the area, the availability of public transport and any other criteria they see fit. It is also a matter for the institutions to clearly communicate this to students and staff.

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science advises that all third level institutions should keep up-to-date with the current weather warnings which are carried on all national and local news bulletins and in particular any change in the status warning for their area, as well as any national guidance that may issue from the Department or Government.

Power and Water Outages

• Check on elderly, vulnerable and isolated neighbours.
• Keep your phone charged and take it with you on all journeys. In an emergency dial 999 or 112.
• Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and / or visit met.ie for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.
• ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor www.powercheck.ie/
• Monitor HSE updates regarding possible impacts on the delivery of their services.  Note that local injury clinics are the best option if you need medical attention following a slip/fall.
• The Be Winter Ready website provides further advice on preparing for severe weather.
• Farmers are advised to take all precautions when dealing with livestock and possibly working alone.
• With regard to rough sleepers, Cold Weather Initiatives are in operation across all local authorities to provide additional emergency beds for rough sleepers where needed – ensuring that additional temporary beds can be brought into use across a range of existing services and facilities, for singles and couples who need them during periods of cold weather.
• The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is urging all road users to be prepared, exercise caution and stay informed – tips and advice for motorists and pedestrians are available at RSA.ie. 

• As temperatures fall below zero, Uisce Éireann is reminding people to protect their water pipes from the freezing weather at home or in their business/farm.
• Check outside pipes that can become frozen and burst during periods of cold weather and, if possible, turn off water supply to these areas or to any unoccupied premises.
• Uisce Éireann is asking people to conserve water and not to leave taps running as this will not necessarily prevent pipes from freezing and can impact on your local water supply.
• Uisce Éireann Customers can check their website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via their 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. People can also sign up online to free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies – see www.water.ie.