Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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443. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if, in light of recent storm damage, he will ensure that all State and semi-State agencies under his remit tasked with the provision of services to the public, would have back-up generators to allow them function regardless of power cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9521/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility, under section 7 of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013, for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation. As Minister, I have no role in their operational matters.

I have, however, made enquiries and have been informed that Uisce Éireann is the largest consumer of energy in the State and depends heavily on electricity to maintain service. It should noted that the loss of power does not result in an immediate loss of water service for customers. Uisce Éireann reservoirs and customer’s own storage that feed by gravity insulate customers from any loss of water service during a short duration power outage of up to 24 hours and longer for many customers.

I am informed that in anticipation of Storm Éowyn, Uisce Éireann’s 420 permanent generators located at treatment plants were tested and readied. In addition, over 300 mobile generators were distributed in advance to plants along with alternative water supplies. These were deployed on a priority basis to the largest plants and stations. As plants came back on line the mobile generators were redeployed to other locations with over 600 locations benefitting from mobile generators.

Uisce Éireann have confirmed that in order to enhance their generator capacity following Storm Éowyn they will increase their stock of mobile generators, with an additional 100 generators to be purchased immediately.

Uisce Éireann is also accelerating its programme to make sites “generator ready”. To date this programme has primarily focused on treatment plants, and will now be expanded to include reservoirs and pumping stations with an additional 100 sites to be made “generator ready” in 2025 with a further 500 sites to be added through 2026 and 2027.

Enquiries as to arrangements made by other State bodies under the aegis of my Department may be emailed directly by members of the Oireachtas, with contact details set out in the below table.