National Emergencies and Public Health

In Ireland different government departments and agencies are responsible for specific emergency planning functions. If a major emergency happens, the most relevant department or agency will be assigned as the lead agency to co-ordinate a response.

In the event of a national emergency or public health issue, the Department of Education will pass on information from the lead agency to the education sector and provide the lead agency with relevant information on the education sector.

Further information:

• Contingency Planning in the Context of a National Emergency
• Item was unpublished or removed

In the event of an emergency, the school management authority can make the decision to close a school. Any decision to close the school is made in the interest of children’s safety. The school management authority will assess local risks and consult school transport operators.

COVID-19

Department of Health information

Information for schools and pre-schools:

• Back to School
• Roadmap for the full return to school

School Vaccination Programme 2019/2020

The HSE National Immunisation Office (NIO) has delivered copies of information booklets about vaccines to protect your child from HPV, MenACWY and Tdap. The information is for parents of primary school children and children starting secondary school in 2019.

If additional copies are needed email immunisation@hse.ie or download copies from the NIO website at www.immunisation.ie.

Health Protection Surveillance Centre

• Management of Infectious Diseases in Schools
• Influenza and Schools

Follow our Twitter feed @Education_Ire for latest information

• Schools and Severe Weather - guidance for school management
• Item was unpublished or removed
• www.winterready.ie
• www.met.ie
• www.buseireann.ie/StatusRed

Damage to schools

If your school is damaged as a result of a severe weather event, school authorities should immediately contact their insurance providers. If your insurance provider confirms that they do not cover the damage or if your school is covered by State Indemnity, you should contact the department to seek emergency works scheme funding.

The contact details are as follows:

Phone:Deirdre Bane on (057) 9324442 or Evelyn Lynam on (057) 9324348

Email: emergency_works@education.gov.ie

Please note that emergency works funding will not be approved retrospectively unless prior notification is given to the department. If you are unable to contact our team by phone please ensure you email the below details to emergency_works@education.gov.ie

• school name, address and roll number
• brief description of the damage sustained and repair works necessary
• an estimate of the costs of the works (schools are reminded to seek three quotations)

National Emergencies and Public Health Issues

Related

• Emergency Works
• Health and Safety Guidelines