All schools in Laois may not be able to reopen on Monday due to ongoing severe weather.
Predictions of further snow, ice and low temperatures around the country could mean an even slower return to safe conditions.
Rural schools in particular are expected to be most at risk of remaining closed after the weekend.
A decision on whether schools will reopen may not be able to be made until Sunday.
Speaking to Independent.ie, Séamus Mulconry general secretary of the Catholic Primary School Management Association (CPSMA), which represents 90pc of the country’s 3,200 primary schools, said: ”I don’t think we will really know until Sunday what the outlook is for Monday and whether a principal can make an informed call”.
Burst
In the meantime, schools have been advised to keep their heating on over the weekend to minimise the risk of burst pipes, due to continuing low temperature.
The Department of Education directed all schools, as well as third-level institutions and colleges of further education, to close for yesterday and today due to freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall.
Independent.ie reports that the department may leave it to individual schools in certain areas to make their own decisions about whether to re-open on Monday.
A Department spokesperson said the situation was being monitored and they expected to be in a better position tomorrow on Saturday about the situation for Monday.
A Red alert remains in place in Laois and snowfall continues to be heavy in the county.
SEE ALSO – All you need to know today about the current weather situation
