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LAST UPDATE | 5 Jan
SCHOOLS WILL DECIDE on a case-by-case basis whether to open or close tomorrow amid severe weather conditions.
Met Éireann has issued multiple Status Orange and Status Yellow weather warnings as heavy rain and snowfall hit the country.
The National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) met virtually this morning to discuss the weather and briefed Taoiseach Simon Harris and Minister for Local Government Darragh O’Brien on the situation.
59,000 homes, farms and businesses are without power due to the weather conditions. Public transport and sporting events have been disrupted and parents and students are seeking information about whether schools, creches and colleges will open tomorrow.
More potential impacts of the severe weather include hazardous travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption and localised flooding.
Motorists are asked to avoid unnecessary journeys as driving conditions will be hazardous — and never to drive through flooded roads as the depth of the water can be deceiving.
From 5pm to 8pm, a status orange snow and ice warning is in place for Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wicklow, and Munster.
Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan and Munster are under a status yellow warning for snow and ice, valid until midnight.
All of Northern Ireland is under a status yellow snow and ice warning, valid until 6pm this evening.
All of Ireland will be under a low temperature and ice warning from 5pm this evening until 12pm Thursday, with Met Éireann warning that temperatures will struggle to get above freezing during the day with widespread frost and ice at night.
The Department of Education, Department of Transport and Bus Éireann met this morning to discuss the impacts of the severe weather on schools.
The Department of Education anticipates that most schools will open as normal tomorrow morning. However, in areas most affected by the weather, some schools may decide to close due to local conditions and safety concerns.
A number of schools have already decided to close tomorrow, especially in Carlow and Kilkenny.
“A decision to close a school is a matter for individual school management authorities around the country as they are best placed to do this in light of local weather conditions, which vary in regions,” a statement from the NECG said.
“As school transport services may operate on rural, secondary roads, which may be untreated, this could result in disruption during a spell of adverse weather. Safety remains the foremost priority,” the statement said.
It added that “if a school plans to close or where transport is affected, communications of all such decisions will issue locally between schools and parents or transport providers and parents”.
“The Department of Education, along with other government departments, will continue to carefully monitor developments with the weather and engage with key stakeholders.”
Likewise, Paul Crone, Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, told RTÉ Radio One earlier that schools will make decisions on a case-by-case basis about whether to open tomorrow. Some schools may opt to open but at a later time than usual, he said.
Decisions about opening or closing Early Learning and Childcare centres rests with the management of each centre the NECG said.
Some of the issues that centres may take into account when making decisions include the conditions in the setting itself, the capacity of the setting to ensure the health and safety of children, the ability of parents and staff to safely negotiate local road conditions and any guidance and direction from principal response agencies like gardaí.
Higher education institutions will likewise make their own decisions about appropriate measures to take. They should have regard to the safety and wellbeing of those on campus, the weather conditions in the area, the availability of public transport and any other criteria they see fit, the NECG said.
As of 5.15pm, around 59,000 homes, farms and businesses are without power, especially in counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois and Wicklow.
It’s a jump from the 28,000 that were without power this morning.
ESB Networks crews and partner contractors are deployed in all impacted areas and are restoring power where safe to do so.
Real-time information on power outages and restoration times is available on www.PowerCheck.ie.
Uisce Éireann is appealing for households and businesses to conserve water as its crews try to restore water supply to around 15,000 people in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Tipperary.
A further 33,000 customers in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Kerry and Wexford are at risk of disruption to their water supplies due to high demand and bursts on the network.
The freezing weather conditions are delaying works to repair leaks.
Head of Water Operations Margaret Attridge said: “We are urging households, businesses and farmers to protect outside taps and farm troughs and to check for leaks and to turn off water to exterior pipes or unoccupied premises.”
“Alternatively, people may consider setting the heating for these areas to come on periodically at a lower temperature. This allows warm air to circulate and will help to prevent pipes and tanks from freezing in the cold weather.”
The impacts are expected to include very difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, travel disruption delays to public transport likely, difficult conditions underfoot, and animal welfare issues, Met Éireann said.
Iarnród Eireann has announced that Cork/Dublin services are facing significant delays due to snow and ice affecting the operation of level crossings.
The railway operator is advising customers that Tralee/Mallow services are also delayed due to earlier fallen trees. Awaiting connections from delayed Cork services to Limerick/Limerick Junction and Limerick/Ballybrophy (via Nenagh) services arebeing replaced with bus transfers.
It said that all routes will operate but that customers should allow additional time to reach stations in areas affected by snow and icy conditions and to be aware that delays may occur.
“We are working around the network to minimise delays and ensure customers reach their destinations safely,” it said.
Dublin Airport has asked passengers to arrive in plenty of time for their journey.
Seven inbound flights and seven outbound flights were cancelled to/from Dublin Airport earlier this morning after rain and sleet overnight.
The airport had expressed concern about a threat of snow this afternoon but a more recent update confirmed it has seen no snow – “but plenty of rain”.
Meanwhile, the All-Ireland club football semi-final between Errigal Ciaran and Dr Crokes that was meant to take place today was postponed following a pitch inspection at Laois Hire O’Moore Park yesterday.
The courts service has announced that Carlow and Kilkenny Courthouses will not open tomorrow.
Court offices opening times and court sittings have been put back to noon tomorrow in Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary.
Additional reporting by Lauren Boland
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Fair play to voxpro.
True but what are the two grinning idiots doing there?
Everywhere they seem to go there is a massive jobs announcement. They must be the luckiest lads in the world.
Yes Ted – they’re like the opposite of Jessica Fletcher …
Joseph they are the taoiseach and minister for jobs. They helped facilitate the new jobs and are no doubt enjoying the positive limelight that stories like this bring.
@seb.
I’d be pretty sure that they had feck all to do with it. Just jumping on the pre election bandwagon.
Bruton is the Minister for Gobs not Jobs.
How did they help facilitate the new jobs?
Kenny is saying let them eat cake the peasants.
@Joseph
Company is supported by Enterprise Ireland..Government run body. That’s how they helped facilitate the new jobs…
How exactly is it supported ? Who is looking after the Irish Water call center ? any ideas about that?
350 new jobs means a nice bit of extra tax revenue coming soon why else would the grinning idiots be there…
Would you ever cop on the only jobs they create is jobs for the boys
@Joseph
Enterprise Ireland have a number of funding mechanisms, potentially investing hundreds of thousands in the company and taking an equity stake in it. I’m not sure exactly what funding they are getting.
Honestly dude though, stick to the point. What has the Irish water call center got to do with this?
Any chance of a bit of balance Joseph? If you complain about the Govt not creating enough jobs, and then they are created through Govt-supported money then credit where it’s due.
Michael have you taken notice of what has been going on and reveled over the last 6 – 8 weeks. You want “balance”, I want these filthy corrupt parasites jailed.
@Joseph
But you have to admit you are being a bit biased on your argument here? I can understand your dislike of the current government but that shouldn’t come into this argument.
Chris in all honesty do you consider it “fair” what these people are doing to the general population in this country?
We are talking about one specific story hear. I don’t see any reason why need to bring up what “these people” are doing in general. My whole argument is that you look at this extremely positive piece of news for Cork and Ireland as a whole and try and see only the negatives. Regardless of you disagreeing with what the government are doing you have to at least recognise that this is a positive story and that like it or not a government body had a positive part to play in it.
To be honest Joe it worries me that there are people like you out there, probably trying to get into politics. I would happily endure another 10 years of austerity than have someone as narrowminded as you anywhere close to running the country
Yes Joseph, I follow all of that too. Today’s news though is fantastic for hundreds of families and there will be ancillary benefits to many others accruing from these job announcements. It’s annoying that every bloody positive news story has to be followed by endless negative comments on the present Govt. There are many other stories where you can give your opinion and it will be respected. But this news should only be commented on with optimism at the difference it will make to people. And a balanced agreement that yes, sometimes, this Govt. gets things right. It’s Friday, cheer up man.
Chris telling the truth is not always the most popular thing to do. I’d be far more worried about the people that are in politics now and what is being planned for our kids by these parasites.
The truth? Just out of interest, do you think the government should have more involvement in jobs creation or less? By the sounds of it you don’t think they do enough. What would you have them do differently? In general what would you do differently with regards to other issues?
We need a new constitution that reflects the needs of a modern secular democratic republic.
We need accountability and transparency in all public affairs.
Yippie, more jobs for Cork. You’ll all be moving down here soon!
Well done cork
Well done.Very good news.
Except for people living in countries that the outsourcing is taking jobs from of course. Remember the outcry when Aviva did the same thing? Nothing like good old fashioned hypocrisy
I was with Voxpro in the early years when they had a small office with a small team. Dan and Linda built that business from a small office with a handful if dedicated employees to what it is today. A true success in the current climate.
I take my hat off to them.
Good news on the economy/jobs and Adams arrested. Shinners must be ready to explode.
Very true tom. I often think that when I hear good news on the economy, shinners and populist socialists must be tearing their hair out because good news for Ireland is bad news for them.
Btw “explode” was an unintentional pun.
Sebastian – have you not heard? – all of these jobs are to scambridgers in Australia.
Hmm. If these jobs were not outsourced then better paid jobs would be created or maintained elsewhere. What is outsourcing really only taking higher paid jobs from somewhere else in the economy?
If they weren’t outsourced to an Irish company them they would be outsourced to Asia somewhere – so it’s still a good announcement.
L connors. That’s capitalism. Get over it.
Many companies will outsource particular aspects of their business for many reasons. Maybe they don’t have the skills, or the demand for a particular service would be infrequent and it wouldn’t be worth doing it in-house.
I’m not disputing that it’s not capitalism. Hardly a great jobs announcement though as outsourcing is just to replace other jobs. And these jobs would not be outsourced to Asia – as if that’s the case why is it not happening? It would be cheaper to do so and that option still exists.
Yes, but the option also exists to outsource to an Irish firm which is obviously well regarded and successful. The work could well be outsourced from overseas and would be new work coming into the country. It could also facilitate cost effective expansion for irish firms.
Stop being so negative.
L connors. Im not sure about the inner workings of this Company and how and what it outsources. However it is great news and for every one high end job created 4 or 5 other jobs are also created. They call it trickle down employment.
And minister Bruton and An Taoiseach can pop up in front of the cameras all they want and put on as many cheesy smiles as they want so long as big announcements like this keep happening.
L Connnors – the fact that Voxpro is creating 300 outsourcing jobs does not mean that 300 jobs are being lost elsewhere in Ireland.
The clients could be outside of Ireland
The services could be a result of increased demand that internal resources are unable to fulfill
I’ve tried saying this over and over in my head and it’s not intended as offensive…but how many of these jobs will go to the Irish? I know of a lot of similar companies in Ireland employing 75%+ foreign nationals
I’m sure that if an Irish person has the required language skills and qualifications they have as much chance as getting the job as the next person. Do you think there should be a quota?
They will go to who applies for them and so what if 75% go to them, irish people are probably above the jobs and won’t apply.
Not at all, a person should be qualified. As I said, I didn’t want it to be offensive. But when we see ’350 jobs created’ I just would like to know how many actually go to Irish nationals
I find that offensive tbh…I also don’t think its an issue and I’m surprised you think it is one
But why, the taxes go to irish people anyway. It’s not companies fault that Irish people are so thick and can’t speak other languages. Thousands of jobs would be filled if people got off there arses and learned a second language.
And by the way if you were in Australia or Europe would u liked to be viewed in the same man or you are summing up non irish nations.
I know u don’t mean it but…..
Same way you (what was meant)
Fair play boi’s .. Jobs for the boi’s
I’d say the taylors dummy on the right edged it. The suit on the left is a bit tight in the middle
At the rate they’re going we’ll have full employment by May 23rd. Amazing!
Wahoo, more call centre jobs for Cork
I realise how this might come across as offensive, was just a thought. Ted Crilly’s ‘not a racist’ video comes to mind. I’M SORRY INTERNET
Drop in the ocean to the 450 thousand unemployed.
Where’s Christopher with the negative spin on 350 new jobs? Ah, there you are, my little ray of sunshine.
If I said it was sunny outside, your next comment would be ‘They say it’ll rain tomorrow’.
Go out, get some air, see something beautiful, and then come back to us. There’s a good boy.
Job announcements like this sound great until you realize that the vast majority of the call center jobs are for native foreign language speakers only.
I don’t think job announcements should even make the headlines if 99% of Irish ”need not apply’.
These are ‘government’ created jobs.
Answering calls for irish water.
Electioneering at its finest.
350 new jobs and why am I reading lots and list of negative comments and bickering? This could have been 350,000 new jobs and some journal readers would still find something negative and have a moan.
have your say