Contingency Funding Fights Winter's Chill

A severe weather warning from Met Éireann remains in effect today with more snow forecast.

The news comes as the Environment Minister John Gormley announced the provision of €15 million extra 'contingency funding' for local authority costs related to the severe weather.

He said that local authority staff have been working round the clock with other State bodies and transport agencies to ensure the country. The aim at all times of Government and the agencies of State is to "minimise disruption and to ensure society functions as close to normality as possible".

Minister Gormley described the current weather conditions as "record breaking" and said: "It has been almost 40 years since we have had snow and ice so early in the Winter, and it is unusual for the cold weather to persist so intensely without respite.

"And the forecasts tell us this cold snap will last for at least a further week.

"With the prospect of these challenging conditions set to stay with us for such a period we recognise the exceptional nature of what we are dealing with.

"I am pleased to be able to say that I will make €15m available from within my Vote for those local authorities most in need of supplementary funding, as a contribution to their exceptional costs, over and above the costs they would ordinarily be expected to meet in the context of yearly Winter weather demands.

"My Department will be in touch with local authorities in relation to making the necessary arrangements," he said.

This morning, some six inches of snow has fallen in Donegal and council crews with snowploughs have been working in freezing conditions to keep roads open across the county.

The band of snow and sleet, which is moving slowly eastwards across the country, is creating problems in Athlone and the Midlands.

Met Éireann has also warned that there will also be freezing fog and temperatures will stay very low.

Motorists throughout the country are being advised to exercise extreme caution on the roads.

Many national and secondary schools and third-level institutions will close again today.

In NI, the PSNI has warned drivers of treacherous road conditions around Downpatrick and Castlewellan in Co Down and said visibility has been reduced on parts of the M1 mortorway in both directions.

On flights, Dublin Airport is again fully operational, but disruption and delays to the flight schedule are expected and passengers are advised to consult with their airline's website before travelling to the airport.

(BMcC/KMcA)