Francis Noel Duffy (Dublin South West, Green Party)
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1301. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the preparations made for drought in view of the lack of rainfall in the last period. [5436/20]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of public water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels and has a dedicated Drought Management Team which it activates during periods of shortages and droughts to assess and monitor demand on water supplies. Irish Water has, this week, commenced a public information campaign to urge the public to conserve water in light of the current weather conditions, increased domestic consumption due to people staying at home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to ensure that public health advice on hand washing is given priority. More information on what is being done and what the public can do to lessen the pressures on water supplies is available at .

More generally, my Department coordinates the national response to severe weather events. This would be relevant during prolonged drought conditions where water supply is significantly impacted upon. In 2018, for instance, my Department convened a cross-departmental group to manage the drought and water supply. My Department will continue to monitor the present situation in consultation with Irish Water.