A number of schools received threatening emails warning them of potential attacks on Wednesday.

It is understood over 150 schools in the Dublin and Kildare regions received the bomb scare email.

The schools are understood to be operating as normal while taking the advice of gardaí.

This comes on the same day as widespread industrial action over public sector pay, where the majority of schools across the country were closed and pickets placed outside.

The Department of Education said it consulted with gardaí on the issue, who advised any school in receipt of the email to contact gardaí.

“The department communicated this advice to schools and boards of management, management bodies, and unions,” it said in a statement to The Irish Times.

“On this basis, the department anticipates that Boards of Management will have regard to the advice from An Garda Síochána, and schools can continue to operate as normal unless otherwise advised by An Garda Síochána.”

Gardaí said they are “aware of a communication” that was sent to a number of schools on Wednesday.

A spokesperson said gardaí are assessing the “contents and credibility” of the emails.

Gardaí are engaging with the schools involved, they said, adding that no further information is currently available.

Sources had suggested that the bomb squad had made callouts to schools, but it’s understood this related to other incidents.

A Defence Forces spokesperson said: “The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team were deployed twice today to locations within Dublin. These deployments were routine and of no significance. Óglaigh na hÉireann has no further comment.”