Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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407. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary and post primary schools in north Offaly that were forced to close during the severe cold weather the country experienced from 6 to 10 January 2025, in tabular form. [2186/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The decision to close a school in response to a severe weather event is a matter for individual school management authorities around the country, taking into consideration the full guidance and direction available from the principal response agencies, especially the local authority. Individual school management authorities are best placed to do this in light of local weather conditions, which can vary significantly in regions. Any decision to close is taken in the interest of child safety, having assessed the local risks and having consulted, as appropriate, with school transport operators.

Guidance is available to schools on responding to severe weather on the Winter Ready website provided by the Office of Emergency Planning as part of the whole of government response to severe weather experienced in recent years via the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/e1d49a-schools-and-severe-weather-be-winter-ready/

The Departments guidance for schools in relation to making up for time lost due to unforeseen closures, which includes unforeseen closures due to weather conditions, is set out in appendix B of Circular 0072/2022 available via the following link: www.gov.ie/en/circular/0a2b0-standardisation-of-the-school-year-in-respect-of-primary-post-primary-schools-for-the-years-202324-202425-and-202526/

As outlined in Circular 0072/2022, significant flexibility is given to schools to make up tuition hours lost due to unforeseen circumstances.

The Department does not seek the data requested by the Deputy from schools.