Richard Bruton announced the decision on Monday afternoon.
All schools in Ireland will remain closed on Tuesday due to severe weather brought on by Storm Ophelia on Monday.
In a statement, Minister Bruton acknowledged the major impact the decision will have on families and on the workforce but said that it was taken with the interests of children in mind and to provide schools with the opportunity to assess the damage caused during the storm on Monday.
You can read the statement in full below.
Following careful consideration by the National Emergency Coordination Group, the Department of Education and Skills, has decided that all schools will remain closed tomorrow #Ophelia
— Richard Bruton (@RichardbrutonTD) October 16, 2017
This decision was primarily taken in the interests of child safety and on the basis of information available in what is a developing situation #Ophelia
— Richard Bruton (@RichardbrutonTD) October 16, 2017
While it is recognised that some schools may not be as badly impacted as others, the information available at this time indicates that over 350,000 businesses & homes already without power, severe winds continue to cause damage across the country as the storm progresses. #Ophelia
— Richard Bruton (@RichardbrutonTD) October 16, 2017
It is also the case that school authorities will in very many cases not have had an opportunity to check their buildings and confirm they are safe, have power and water, and that routes to the school are safely open #Ophelia
— Richard Bruton (@RichardbrutonTD) October 16, 2017
It is recognised that the decision to close schools will have a major impact on families and on the workforce. However, this decision has been taken in the interests of safety for children and to provide clarity for everyone concerned #Ophelia
— Richard Bruton (@RichardbrutonTD) October 16, 2017
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