Schools, colleges and childcare facilities are shut from today until March 29th.
It follows advice from the Government in attempts to tackle the spread of the coronavrius.
Outdoors events of more than 500 people and indoor gatherings of over 100 are also being postponned.
****
Early Childhood Ireland has warned some creches could be forced to close permanently if they cannot reopen on March 30th.
Some 200,000 children and babies and 30,000 staff working in the sector are affected by the two week closures.
Last night the Department of Children and Youth Affairs confirmed early years funding would be ring fenced.
****
People working from home are being warned to watch out for scams online.
Deloitte is warning the disruption to normal working patterns is the perfect hunting ground for scam artists.
The firm says people may be targetted with "phishing" attacks using bogus links that look like their office's remote working app.
****
The cost of delivering new homes in Dublin ranges from over €330,000 for a two-bed townhouse to more than €460,000 for a two-bed apartment.
That is according to a report for Irish Institutional Property, a lobby group for institutional investors.
It says construction costs alone for a two bedroom house in Dublin city or suburbs are €158,000.
But this rises to a final cost of €330,000 when the likes of planning, finance and VAT are added.
****
A new online resource for teachers aimed at educating students on the Magdelene Laundries is being launched today.
The Waterford Memories website explores human rights and social change through the eyes of the women in the institutions.
Researchers on the project at Waterford IT say it is not something that is focused on in classrooms nationwide.