Thousands of tonnes of extra road grit were on their way today as the big freeze showed little sign of thawing and roads remained treacherous.
With supplies at critically low levels in some areas, more than 19,000 tonnes of grit will be imported over the next fortnight.
The National Roads Authority said two thirds of normal seasonal supply had already been used up during the lengthy cold snap.
“This weather is not something you plan on, this is a 40 year event,” Sean O’Neill of the NRA said.
“This extra grit is good news and it will help stabilise any very low supplies.”
Mr O’Neill said counties with the worst shortages, including Sligo, Roscommon and Cork, would be first to receive the new deliveries.
“Unfortunately a lot of local and regional roads haven’t been gritted, so people do need to take heed,” he added.
Fine Gael transport spokesman Fergus O’Dowd said supplies should not have been allowed to fall to such low levels.
“It’s a bit late to be ordering the grit now - this is a lesson in the Government’s inaction and hibernation,” the Louth TD said.
“It’s not acceptable that people have been prisoners in their own homes for this length of time and with people going back to work tomorrow it’s essential that the roads are sorted out.”
Met Éireann said people should brace themselves for more treacherous weather, with temperatures set to plummet as low as minus nine degrees in coming nights.
Forecaster Michael McAuliffe said the north, north-west and east of the country were most at risk from snow showers.
“The weather is going to stay cold right through the coming week with no sign of milder conditions at all,” he added.
Transport companies and local authorities this weekend defended their preparedness for the extended spell of cold weather after snow and ice caused widespread disruption to services on New Year’s Day.
Bus Éireann said most services today were operating to schedule with some delays.
Limerick to Dublin Services are now back in service. Cork city services are back and some services in west Cork are coming back to service.
Dublin Bus said services are operating from all garages.
"However, where there are still poor conditions in housing estates and high level areas the below curtailments are currently in place."
The company said it was "closely monitoring" weather conditions and that customers should check its website for updates.
It said weather conditions were continuing to improve and it would operate a full service on Monday.
"However there are a number of areas where conditions are still poor and the below curtailments will be in place."
Additional reporting: PA