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07th Dec 2021

Schools and third level institutions to remain closed in counties affected by orange or red weather warnings

Hugh Carr

schools closed orange red weather warning

This includes counties that are scheduled to have their status changed.

Schools and third level institutions affected by orange or red weather warnings should remain closed tomorrow in response to risks posed by Storm Barra, according to Government officials.

The Department of Education confirmed the move to keep schools closed via a statement on its website on Tuesday (7 December).

“The Department is advising that all schools that are currently or forecast to be in a Red or Orange alert area should remain closed tomorrow, 8th December. This will allow for assessment of the impact of Storm Barra to take place,” the Department wrote.

“This includes counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Mayo and Wexford.

“Schools that are no longer in a Red or Orange Alert area can reopen, provided that, if there are concerns, school managers have had an opportunity to check for fallen wires and other serious damage in the vicinity of school buildings.

“If an individual school (in a yellow area) is still experiencing a particular local issue relating to the storm the Board of Management can make a decision to remain closed for tomorrow.

“All schools 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,” the Department concluded.

It was expected earlier on today that schools would reopen on Wednesday (8 December), but advice has since been changed.

Norma Foley spoke about the decision to close schools due to be affected by Storm Barra on Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1.

“This is really a very significant, very serious and potentially… a very severe storm warning,” Foley said.

“There will be high winds, heavy rainfall, risks of snow, risks of flooding and that’s not to mention the potential for falling trees, debris and structural damage.

“So, in the round, we have taken this on the basis of a health and safety protection… of our school community.”