School and childcare closures in severe weather: who decides, how you find out, and a plan for the morning

The decision is local. The decision to close a school or early learning and childcare service rests with its own management, taking guidance from the emergency services, “especially An Garda Síochána”.[1] Two schools a mile apart can make different calls on the same morning, and the official guidance says so.[1]

So the first place to look is your own school or crèche: its text message, app, website or social media page.[1] Then the warning itself, on met.ie/warnings.[7]

The scene this guide is for

It is half seven on a snowy morning. A parent in a dressing gown is at the front door, reading a text on the phone. A child in pyjamas peeks out from behind. The radio says a Status Red snow warning starts at midday for the county. The school text says it is open this morning, but the bus is not coming. Work starts at nine.

Who decides, and on what

Schools and childcare services are told to plan ahead for severe weather, and to decide on the day based on:[1]

• conditions in the building itself
• whether they can keep children safe there
• whether parents, students, staff and school buses can safely get there on local roads
• guidance from the Gardaí, the fire service, the council and other emergency services

Any decision to close “is taken in the interest of child safety”.[1] Schools in an area try to agree a common response, but local conditions can lead to different decisions.[1]

When there is a national call. Sometimes the decision is taken further up. Before Storm Debi in November 2023, the National Emergency Co-ordination Group met, and the Department of Education announced that schools under Orange and Red warnings would not open before 10am.[4] When that happens, it is on the national news and the school will still text you.[4] Under a Red warning, the National Emergency Co-ordination Group can also issue a closure notice to schools and early learning services in the affected area.[5]

What a Red warning means for school

Met Éireann warnings come in three colours: Yellow, be aware; Orange, be prepared; Red, take action.[1]

For a Red wind warning, the Departments of Education and Children advise schools and childcare services to consider not opening if the warning is forecast for the times when children, staff or parents would be travelling.[1]

If a Red wind warning comes in during the school day, the school asks the Gardaí and the bus service whether it is safe to travel. It may keep children inside until the weather improves, and schools are expected to plan for that.[1] The guidance asks schools to think about the safety of parents travelling to collect children too.[1] Keep in touch with the school, and decide with it when it is safe to set out.[3]

Orange can matter as well. In an area that floods or on the coast, an Orange warning may need action.[1]

The school bus: a separate rule

Bus Éireann runs school transport for the Department of Education. Its policy is short: “Status Red Warning for your area Means NO Bus Éireann School Transport Service.”[3]

• The buses are cancelled in the affected area for all or part of the day of a Red warning, whether or not the school opens.[3]
• If the school is in a Red county, its buses do not run, wherever they come from. A route that starts in a Red county is cancelled too.[3]
• Buses do not usually run for a late start. Do not expect a bus for an 11am opening.[3]
• If the Red warning is lifted at or before noon, buses run as normal at going-home time.[3]
• If it lasts into the afternoon, Bus Éireann will try, with the emergency services if needed, to bring children home.[3]

The Be Winter Ready leaflet for parents puts it plainly: parents should know their school’s plan “and have their own arrangements in place in the event of a school closure or school transport disruption due to severe weather”.[2]

How to find out on the morning

1. The school or crèche text, app or website. Most schools use a text service. Make sure the school has your current mobile number.[1][2]
2. Met Éireann warnings for your county, at met.ie/warnings.[7]
3. Local radio and the national news. Weather warnings are carried on all national and local news bulletins.[3]
4. Bus Éireann service updates for school transport.[3]

If you hear nothing and the weather is bad, ring the school rather than setting out.

A plan for the morning, made now

Make it now, not at half seven on the morning of a warning. Talk it through with the other adults in the house, and with a neighbour or another parent.

• Who collects if the school closes early or keeps children in?
• Who minds the children if the school or crèche does not open? A grandparent, a neighbour, another parent you swap with?
• Can you work from home that day? Ask your employer now what their severe weather arrangements are.
• Does your child know what to do if they are sent home early? Where is the key, and who do they ring?
• For a teenager walking home on a dark winter afternoon: a charged phone, and something bright or reflective. See Walking and cycling in the dark.

If you have a child with additional needs who relies on school transport or an escort, talk to the school about your plan before the winter. See also Disability and emergency planning.

Pay when you cannot get to work

If you have to stay home with the children, or you cannot get to work in the weather, these are your rights, from Citizens Information and the Workplace Relations Commission.

If you cannot make it to work:

• Your employer does not have to pay you if you miss work because of extreme weather, unless your contract says otherwise.[5][6]
• You may be able to take annual leave for the day, if your employer agrees.[5][6]
• Unpaid leave, working from home and making up the hours are all matters for agreement with your employer.[5][6]

If your workplace closes:

• Your employer may lay you off for a short time if there is no work. You may qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance for those days.[5][6]

If you cannot sort it out at work, the Workplace Relations Commission’s information line is 059 917 8990, Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm.[6]

Check your contract first: it may already set out what happens in severe weather.[5]

Exams and lost days

If severe weather hits during the Leaving Cert or Junior Cycle exams, the State Examinations Commission contacts schools to make other arrangements.[1] Schools have Department guidance on making up time lost to closures.[1] For childcare, the Department’s funding agreements with providers cover closures for reasons outside their control. Ask your provider how it handles fees on those days.[1]