Elderly people in Clare are being urged not to let fear over the cost of fuel prevent them from turning on the heat as the cold snap kicks in.
It comes ahead of two nationwide weather warnings, which come into effect from tonight, with hazardous conditions forecast.
Two yellow weather alerts are in place for Clare and across the country, with motorists in particular, being warned of the potential for black ice or freezing rain on surfaces.
The message from the Road Safety Authority is to slow down, leave extra time for your journeys and check your car is winter ready.
Spokesperson, Brian Farrell, says main roads are more likely to be gritted.
The local authority says it has snow ploughs on standby if required throughout the upcoming cold snap and maintenance crews are to begin salting the county’s motorways and secondary routes this evening.
Senior Engineer with Clare County Council, Cyril Feeney, says if snow does fall, the local authority has facilities in place to deal with it.
Meanwhile, the Clare Older People’s Council is urging elderly people in particular not to let fear prevent them from ensuring they keep warm over the course of the cold snap.
Chairman Maurice Harvey says people’s health has to come first and measures such as the double pension on Friday and the expanded fuel allowance scheme will help to cover the cost of heating.
Listen back to the full interview here:
