ESB Networks has said that in the region of 74,000 homes, farms and businesses are still waiting for electricity supplies to be restored in the wake of Storm Éowyn.
In light of the number of people who remain severely impacted by the storm, the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary today (Friday, January 31) “assured” homeowners of the continued commitment of his department to support all houseowners affected by the storm through the Humanitarian Assistance Support Scheme.
The Humanitarian Assistance emergency financial payment is available to homeowners in the immediate aftermath of a severe weather event.
It is open to homeowners in affected areas who do not have any power or water supply and includes support to pay for alternative accommodation if necessary.
Meanwhile the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) met earlier today as it continues to co-ordinate efforts” to restore power, water, telecommunications and other services following the storm one week ago.
It outlined that several large-capacity generators have been provided by Poland and Denmark to Ireland following a request under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
These generators are being used to support Uisce Éireann and telecommunications operators to bring water, phone and broadband services back to homes and businesses according to the NECG.
Chair of the NECG, Keith Leonard, said today: “It’s been an incredibly challenging week – both for those suffering prolonged disruption in the storm’s aftermath, and for the thousands of staff and volunteers involved in the intensive restoration and relief efforts.
“Nearly 700,000 people have now had their power restored, and the vast majority of people affected by water outages have had their supply restored.
“This has required an unprecedented level of work and commitment from our infrastructure crews – work that will continue over the bank holiday weekend and beyond until everyone affected is reconnected”.
Storm Éowyn
Leonard also detailed that the NECG is continuing to co-ordinate cross-government support for “ongoing efforts, and local co-ordination groups remain in place across affected areas, helping us to prioritise the welfare of vulnerable or isolated people.”
The NECG is scheduled to meet again tomorrow, and the relevant sub groups continue to progress work in their respective areas.
The ESB had previously confirmed that “285 skilled technicians from counterparts in Austria, Finland, France and Great Britain are now on the ground in the worst impacted areas.”
Further help is due to arrive in the coming days to arrive from Germany, the Netherlands and Norway.
In addition to the 2,500 strong crews deployed, over 1,300 support staff are involved in overseeing damage assessment, emergency call management, logistics and network operations.
ESB is also warning the public to not approach any fallen wires and to report any damage they may come across.
Water
Uisce Éireann has confirmed that water has been restored to the majority of homes and business that were impacted by Storm Eowyn, but 800 premises still have no water supplies.
In areas where water has not yet returned, it said that alternative water supplies will remain in place to support local communities, including those on private wells and group water schemes.
Uisce Éireann also highlighted that generators have been installed at all of the plants, pumping stations and reservoirs where it is feasible to do so, and crews continue to operate and maintain these.
The areas that remain the most impacted are in the west and north-west of the country. Crews are also tankering water directly to the reservoirs or into the network where required.
Meanwhile the