County braces for ‘cold snap’

Outdoor staff and gritters at Cavan County Council are ready for action as a cold snap grips the county this week with some snow and frosty conditions forecast.

In anticipation of sub zero temperatures this week, the local authority has confirmed that a maintenance plan for severe weather conditions is in place.

The local council is responsible for the maintenance of over 3,000km of national, regional and local roads throughout the county. “The operation of a winter service is undertaken to minimise the impact of frost, ice or snow on the travelling public both in terms of safety and economical terms,” said a spokesperson.

The local authority is also urging anyone experiencing homelessness “who believes they have no alternative option but to sleep rough” at this present time to contact them on 049-4378300, or present to the council offices between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, so “an assessment can be undertaken, following which the most suitable housing supports are provided".

Forecast

The county will experience freezing temperatures, with the possibility of snow on higher ground.

Tonight (Wednesday) temperatures will drop below minus, with day time integers expected in the low single digits and not expected to go above three to four degrees as the week tails off into the weekend.

A ‘Winter Weather Advisory’ has been issued by Met Éireann, warning: “Very cold this week as an Arctic airmass sets in, bringing sharp to severe frosts and icy stretches on roads. Showers of hail, sleet, and snow will occur during the second half of the week.”

It remains in place until Saturday night.

The national forecaster has said that updates, including “potential” further warnings, will be issued in the coming days.

“Wintry showers will move southwards over the northern half of the country overnight and temperatures will rise marginally with falls of rain, sleet and snow, in some areas, that may lead to some very icy conditions,” says Met Eireann.

Fuel Allowance

This week Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, announced a new online application system for the Fuel Allowance scheme.

The new system will support the largest ever expansion of the Fuel Allowance Scheme, which is expected to see over 80,000 additional households qualify for a payment for the first time.

A new Over 70s Means Test for Fuel Allowance has been introduced where a single person over 70 can have income of €500 per week and a couple can have income of €1,000 per week and still qualify for the payment from January.