ACCS/Info Bulletin 01/25

23rd January, 2025.

The Secretary,
Board of Management and
School Principal in
each Community and Comprehensive School.

Members of the Executive of ACCS.

ACCS/Info Bulletin 01/25.

(updated 23/1 12:30pm)

 Re: Status Red Alert: Schools in Status Red Areas to close.

Please see below update from the Department of Education, which has issued to schools. 

Status Red Alert: All Schools to close for the duration of the School Day on Friday. 

Met Éireann has issued a status red weather warning for the entire country

11am, Thursday 23 January 2025

Status Red Alert: Schools closed on Friday 24 January. 

Due to the extreme nature of Storm Éowyn and the threat of multi-hazard weather events on Friday 24 January, Met Éireann has confirmed a red weather warning. Based on this, the National Emergency Coordination Group has advised that all primary and post-primary schools in red warning areas will close for the duration of the red warning. 

 While the red weather warnings are expected to end between 10am and 3pm on Friday in different counties, schools will remain closed 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 and to ensure the safety of school communities, and parents and the school community would need time to prepare to return to school. 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 schools in red warning areas to open on Friday.

 Safety Checks Following the Weather Event 

 In carrying out any safety checks of buildings and facilities, school authorities should take into account the current and expected weather conditions, any damage that might have been caused to school buildings overnight or at any time during the storm, and the safety of the school community.

 In this context, schools 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 their area.

 The Department of Education wishes to remind all schools of the useful advice contained in the Government’s ‘Be Winter Ready’ campaign.  

 The Department will continue to monitor the situation as it progresses and will follow any advice from the National Emergency Coordination Group.  

  The Department of Education is grateful to school leaders, staff, students and the wider school community for their understanding and cooperation during this red weather warning and closure of schools.