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02nd Oct 2019

Schools urged to close if there is a risk to students during Storm Lorenzo

Alan Loughnane

schools closed storm Lorenzo

Weather warnings have been issued.

In a statement, the Department of Education said schools, third level colleges and further education centres in areas affected by a status orange alert should remain vigilant and take note of any updates from Met Éireann.

The decision to close is up to individual schools or other educational institutions, the Department has confirmed.

“In all events, and if in any doubt, schools and other education settings should err on the side of caution,” the department said.

“Schools are empowered to make closure decisions if, in their judgment in the interests of the safety of the school community, it is prudent to do so.

“Any and all decisions about school closures will be informed by, as well as prevailing and predicted conditions, any damage that might have been caused to school buildings overnight or at any time during the storm, and whether such damage –where it exists – might present a risk to safety. Similarly other education settings should make closure decisions based on those considerations.”

The Department said it would continue to monitor the situation and will follow any advice issued by the National Emergency Coordination Group.

On Wednesday, a National Emergency Coordination Group meeting was held, chaired by Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy.

Employers are urged to plan today in conjunction with their employees to make arrangements taking account of anticipated travel conditions on Thursday evening into Friday.

“We advise people make arrangements taking any warnings into account when planning their journeys to or from work,” notes a National Emergency Coordination Group statement.

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