ALL SCHOOLS WILL remain closed across Ireland tomorrow in the wake of Storm Ophelia.
Minister for Education Richard Bruton confirmed the news this afternoon.
Bruton said that the decision had been arrived at “following careful consideration by the National Emergency Coordination Group”.
He said:
“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.”
This decision was primarily taken in the interests of child safety and on the basis of information available in what is a developing situation.
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 and homes (are) already without power, (while) severe winds continue to cause damage across the country as the storm progresses.
“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,” the Minister concluded.
Buildings across the country have taken the brunt of Storm Ophelia’s record-breaking winds, with multiple instances of roofs blowing free from their moorings reported so far.
In Douglas, Co Cork, this morning the roof of the local community school blew free in a moment captured on video.
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