⚠️UPDATED MESSAGE 23rd January @10:30am⚠️
Dear Provider,
Following yesterday’s communication on Storm Éowyn, please be advised that a Red warning is now in place for every county tomorrow Friday, 24 January.
As advised, the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management has requested all schools, Early Learning and Care (ELC), School-Age Childcare (SAC) and further and higher education institutions services in Red counties to close for the duration of the warning.
Furthermore, the Department anticipates the following message will issue from the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management following the meeting of the National Emergency Planning Group this morning.
The Red weather warnings are expected to end between 10am and 3pm on Friday. Travel is not possible during the Red warning period. After the Red warning expires, safety checks may be needed to assess whether any damage has occurred to ensure the safety of children, staff and parents. Providers may need time to prepare to reopen. Because of these factors, concerns about safe transport and the unpredictable nature of the Red warnings, the Department recognises that it is not possible or practical for ELCs and SACs to open on Friday.
All providers should stay updated on the latest weather warnings, which are available on national and local news bulletins. It’s especially important to watch for any changes to the warning status in your area. Providers should remain vigilant and regularly check for hourly and other updates from Met Éireann, local authorities, local radio, and the principal response agencies.
In carrying out any safety checks of buildings and facilities, providers should take into account the current and expected weather conditions, any damage that might have been caused to buildings overnight or at any time during the storm to ensure their safety and that of children, staff and parents.
DCEDIY confirms that funding for ELC and SAC schemes will be maintained nationally on Friday. Services will not be required to apply for force majeure for tomorrow’s closure. The Department would encourage services providing ECCE to offer an alternative day if possible.
Regards,
Early Years Division