Schools closed again as building inspections set to begin in earnest

The Department of Education has said the decision to close schools for a second day today was taken on child safety grounds as school authorities were only beginning to check the buildings to see what, if any damage, they sustained thanks to yesterday’s unprecedented storms.

“While it is recognised that some schools may not be as badly impacted as others, the information available at this time indicates that over 350,000 businesses and homes are already without power, and severe winds continue to cause damage across the country as the storm progresses,” the Department of Education said yesterday afternoon.

“It is also the case that school authorities will in very many cases not have had an opportunity to check their buildings and confirm they are safe, have power and water, and that routes to the school are safely open.”