To ask the Minister of Education whether the recommendations from the Education Authority and his Department's review into school closure procedures, following Storm Amy, were applied for Storm Chandra.

The implementation of the recommendations arising from the Storm Amy review remains a key priority for my Departmental officials and working closely with Education Authority (EA) colleagues, continue to make good progress.

The Report highlighted several issues relating to communication with schools, including the need for all future EA messaging to be agreed with the Department and to clearly set out the nature of any closure and the required actions.

These recommendations were implemented in practice during Storm Chandra, when the requirement for the EA to seek approval for all communications through the Department’s Press Office ensured consistent, timely and clear messaging regarding the emergency school closures.

A small number of recommendations remain in progress, and these are being taken forward as a priority. This includes the development of an Education Civil Contingencies Protocol, which is anticipated to be finalised within the coming weeks.