National Emergency Co-ordination Group meets again as Orange weather warning issued

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) met again this morning (Tuesday 7 January) to discuss the disruption caused by the ongoing cold weather and the latest weather warnings issued by Met Éireann.

A new orange weather warning has been issued for most of Ireland, valid from 8pm tonight until 10am on Wednesday. Extremely cold weather with widespread severe frost, ice and lying snow has been forecasted for the coming nights. This could bring dangerous travelling conditions, travel disruption, and animal welfare issues.

Temperatures are set to drop to between -3C and -8C tonight, with even lower temperatures possible locally. Parts of the midlands are expected to feel the lowest temperatures.

Local Authorities have confirmed that beds will be made available for any rough sleeper who requires one. Cold Weather Initiatives are in operation across all local authorities to provide additional emergency beds for rough sleepers where needed. Outreach teams are continuing to work with rough sleepers and encourage them to avail of accommodation.

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) has a free app and an online form which enables members of the public to alert them to the location of anyone sleeping rough, so that outreach teams can make contact with them and advise of available beds.

Keith Leonard, National Director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, continued to emphasise the public safety advice during this prolonged period of cold weather:

Public transport continues to operate today, but people are advised to check with their operator before undertaking any journeys, as services may be affected depending on local conditions. Those availing of public transport are asked to allow extra time for their journey.

Those travelling by air should allow plenty of time for their journey. Passengers seeking updates regarding specific flights should contact their airline directly.

Road users are asked to treat every road as treacherous in the context of widespread black ice, make only essential journeys, take it slowly and allow extra time for travel to reduce risks for all and to relieve the pressure on the emergency services.

Cyclists will need to exercise extra caution this week and follow the advice from the RSA.

The majority of schools have opened as normal this morning, however in several counties affected by severe weather some primary and post-primary schools have taken the decision to remain closed due to local conditions and safety concerns.

Some school transport services are not operating due to weather conditions on roads in affected counties.

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 significantly in regions.

Safety remains the foremost priority. 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.

As weather and conditions can change quickly and unexpectedly, we appreciate the public’s cooperation and patience as schools and transport providers assess the situation locally and decide the safest options.

The Department of Education, along with other government departments, will continue to carefully monitor developments with the weather and engage with key stakeholders.

The decision to close an Early Learning and Childcare setting rests with the setting’s management taking into consideration the full guidance and direction available from the principal response agencies, especially An Garda Síochána.

Any decision to close is taken in the interest of child safety, having assessed the local risks. Some of the issues that settings take into account include:

• conditions in the setting itself
• capacity of the setting to ensure the health and safety of children
• ability of parents and staff to safely negotiate local road conditions to reach the setting
• guidance and direction from the principal response agencies

Further guidance for Early Years settings is available on the government's Be Winter Ready website.

Each Higher Education Institution will decide on the appropriate weather-related measures to take, having 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. It is also a matter for the institutions to clearly communicate this to students and staff.

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science advises that all third-level institutions should keep up-to-date with the current weather warnings which are carried on all national and local news bulletins and in particular any change in the status warning for their area, as well as any national guidance that may issue from the department or Government.

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 the PowerCheck website. ESB Networks acknowledge the disruption to family and commercial life this causes, and thank impacted customers for their patience as crews work to safely restore power.

If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity networks, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous. Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999.

As temperatures continue to fall below zero, Uisce Éireann is reminding people to protect their water pipes from the freezing weather at home or in their business/farm.

Check outside pipes that can become frozen and burst during periods of cold weather and, if possible, turn off water supply to these areas or to any unoccupied premises.

Uisce Éireann is asking people to conserve water and not to leave taps running as this will not necessarily prevent pipes from freezing and can impact on your local water supply.

Uisce Éireann Customers can check their website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via their 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. People can also sign up online to free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies - go to the Uisce Éireann website.

Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams (SWATs) continue to monitor conditions locally and emergency response teams are ready to respond where and when necessary. Local authorities are continuing to salt roads as well as footpaths in urban centres where possible.

Met Éireann weather warnings currently in place:

Status Orange - Low Temperature/Ice warning for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Cavan, Monaghan, Munster, Connacht

Valid 8pm Tuesday – 10am Wednesday

Status Yellow - Low Temperature/Ice warning for Ireland

Valid until 06:00 Friday

With regard to rough sleepers, Cold Weather Initiatives are in operation across all local authorities to provide additional emergency beds for rough sleepers where needed – ensuring that additional temporary beds can be brought into use across a range of existing services and facilities, for singles and couples who need them during periods of cold weather.

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) has a free app which enables members of the public to alert them to the location of anyone sleeping rough, so that outreach teams can make contact with them.

• keep your phone charged and take it with you on all journeys. In an emergency dial 999 or 112
• public transport may be affected by this spell of wintry weather, and people are advised to check with service operators for the latest updates in their area
• monitor Met Éireann forecasts and / or visit the Met Éireann website for the most up-to-date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources
• all disruptions to HSE services are on the HSE homepage and it is being regularly updated. Info also available via HSE social media channels. Note that local injury clinics are the best option if you need medical attention following a slip/fall
• people are advised to check in on elderly or vulnerable people in their communities
• the Be Winter Ready website provides further advice on preparing for severe weather
• farmers are advised to take all precautions when dealing with livestock and possibly working alone

Motorists - Before setting off:

Check tyres, including the spare wheel, and replace them if the tread depth falls below 3mm. Check that tyres are inflated to the correct tyre pressure.

When driving:

• manoeuvre gently, slow down and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front
• dense fog seriously reduces your visibility and makes driving very dangerous. Switch on dipped headlights and fog lamps, reduce your speed and allow an extra safe distance from you and the vehicle in front
• avoid harsh braking, steering and acceleration

Pedestrians:

• if a journey cannot be avoided, be extremely careful as frost, ice and snow will make walking on footpaths very dangerous
• walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths
• remember that footpaths may not be treated so walk with extreme care

Motorcyclists, E-scooters and Cyclists:

• don’t compromise your safety by your ‘need’ to travel in icy/snow conditions
• cancel your journey if it is not essential or take alternative transport
• Be Safe, Be Seen, visibility is reduced in snowy conditions. For e-scooters and those cycling, wear a Sam Browne Bandoleer belt or high visibility vest and ensure the lights are working correctly – appropriate front and rear lights
• cyclists need to exercise extreme caution during this cold weather spell. While key arterial routes are being gritted, there are many cycle routes that may not be gritted