Several schools remain shut

SEVERAL schools in areas badly affected by heavy snowfall are expected to remain closed today.

While most students across the country are likely to return to class this morning, many in the worst-affected areas, such as Wexford, west Wicklow and north Kildare, are likely to be told to stay home. A number of schools in west Dublin were also expected not to open.

Seán Hogan, chairman of the National Emergency Coordination Group, said yesterday that the decisions on whether to reopen today will be made by individual schools depending on their local conditions.

‘Schools in areas where it is feasible have been checking their premises and linking with school bus operators in order to make decisions about opening,’ Mr Hogan said.

‘This is being done on a caseby-case basis and decisions will be communicated to parents in each case.’

A Department of Education spokesman said there is a level of flexibility to compensate for lost tuition time during periods of bad weather, and that it is not anticipated lost hours will have to be made up elsewhere, unless there is a very long period of closure.