Dear Provider,
Following meetings of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group this weekend, DCEDIY would like to remind providers of the specific Be Winter Ready advisory information for Early Learning and Childcare settings which is available at gov.ie – Schools and Early Learning and Childcare Services Severe Weather – Be Winter Ready. The information includes important details for services on being prepared, keeping informed of weather updates and advisories and decision making on possible service closures.
The Department anticipates most services will open as normal tomorrow morning. Some services may take a decision to close in areas affected by severe weather due to local conditions and safety concerns. A decision to close will be a matter for individual providers. Given the nature of this weather event, providers will be best placed to decide in light of the local weather conditions, which vary in regions. Providers should consider the guidance and direction available from the principal response agencies.
More generally, the Key Public Safety Messages for this weather event include:
- Wintry showers and icy surfaces will lead to difficult travel conditions
- Road conditions will be hazardous, even where roads are gritted, slow down, drive with caution, be aware of other road users and allow extra time for your journey.
- Drivers travelling longer journeys are advised to be aware of conditions right along their route, as the weather may vary significantly across different parts of the country.
- Public transport may also be affected by this spell of wintry weather; people are advised to check with service operators for the latest updates in their area.
- Take extra care while walking: footpaths etc. can be extremely hazardous/slippery due to ice
- People are advised to prepare for this period of severe weather including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.
- Keep your phone charged and take it with you on all journeys. In an emergency dial 999 or 112
- Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.
- ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor www.PowerCheck.ie.
- Uisce Éireann Customers can check their website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via our 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 – see www.water.ie.
Following the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth’s notification yesterday regarding Be Winter Ready, please be aware that an application for Force Majeure, including evidence of the requirement to close, must be submitted to Pobal in the event of a service closure within 5 working days.
The application form can be found HERE and must be submitted via a Request on the Early Years Hive selecting the following dropdown options:
- Request program type: User Account Management
- Request type: Force Majeure
- Request type detail: Standard Force Majeure
