'Most schools' to stay open despite warning of 'hazardous' driving conditions

With the cold spell set to maintain its grip on the country for the rest of this week, the State's National Emergency Coordination Group has said it expects "most schools" to remain open.

An orange-level freezing fog warning is in place throughout the country until midnight tonight, with motorists being warned to take extra care amid "very hazardous" driving conditions.

The National Emergency Coordination Group met this morning (Monday) to assess the national and local situation during this prolonged period of wintry weather.

It said it expects most schools to remain open as normal this week, but acknowledged that "a small number of schools" had to close today due to difficult local conditions.

"Any decision to close a school is made by the principal/management of a school, taking into account local conditions and safety advice," the group said.

A status yellow low temperature and ice warning will remain in place for the entire country all week, with Met Éireann predicting a range of wintry hazards including severe frost, ice, wintry showers and freezing fog.

The current indications are that we may see a return to milder conditions at the weekend.

The website www.winterready.ie provides advice on how to deal with severe weather.