Press release
Update from the National Emergency Co-ordination Group on storm recovery response
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) met again today (Sunday) to continue to coordinate efforts to restore power, water, telecommunications and other services following Storm Éowyn.
Supported by government departments and agencies on the NECG, ESB Networks continues to mobilise all available resources to restore power connections as soon as possible.
Power has been restored to 723,000 farms, schools, and businesses however, 45,000 customers remain without supply. Customers should note that after being reconnected, they may experience some short disruptions to power to allow neighbours to be safely reconnected.
In the areas with the largest number of faults, as ESB Networks make progress to repair the extensive damage, some customers may see their estimated restoration times change over the coming days. If you are in a position to visit www.PowerCheck.ie, estimated restoration times will continue to be updated.
Several large-capacity generators are being provided by Poland and Denmark, following a request under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The generators are being deployed to support Uisce Éireann and telecommunications operators to bring water, phone and broadband services back to homes and businesses.
Fewer than 400 premises now remain without water and significant progress has been made in restoring telecommunication services.
The NECG will meet again tomorrow, and the relevant subgroups continue to progress work in their respective areas.
The NECG is the established central government platform for responding to national level emergencies under the Strategic Emergency Management Framework.
Approximately 45,000 homes, farms, schools and businesses remain without power following storm Éowyn. ESB Networks is mobilising all available resources to restore power to homes, farms and businesses as soon as possible. Already power has been restored to 723,000 customers and intensive work will continue.
In the areas with the largest number of faults, as ESB Networks make progress to repair the extensive damage, some customers may see their estimated restoration times change over the coming days. If you are in a position to visit the PowerCheck website, estimated restoration times will continue to be updated.
Customers who remain without power will progressively have their supply restored over the course of next week.
In some instances, when carrying out restoration work on main lines, customers whose power has been reconnected should be aware that power may have to be disconnected again for very short periods of time to allow neighbours to be reconnected. These interruptions ensure that restoration work can safely take place on the system.
Skilled technicians from counterparts in Austria, Finland, France, Great Britain, Germany, Netherlands and Norway are on the ground in the worst impacted areas. They are supporting over 2,500 local ESB Networks crews and partner contactors who have been bolstered by colleagues from the south and east of the country, as well as skilled retirees.
In addition to the crews deployed, over 1,300 support staff are involved in overseeing damage assessment, emergency call management, logistics and network operations. ESB Networks’ customer contact centre has also doubled its resources to accommodate the unprecedented high volumes of calls, resulting in short call response times throughout the day and night for their customers.
An Important Public Safety Message: ESB Networks reminds the public to Stay Safe, Stay Clear of fallen electricity wires. If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous. Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999.
Fewer than 400 premises are without water as of 02 February 2025. The vast majority of customers have now had their water supply restored since the storm. Uisce Éireann teams will continue their efforts to restore supply to any remaining areas, as well as carrying out business-as-usual repair and maintenance works on the network.
Uisce Éireann have now deployed and installed generators at almost all of the plants, pumping stations and reservoirs where it is feasible to do so. Having done so, Uisce Éireann are continuing to work closely with the ESB to prioritise the restoration of electricity supply in the remaining locations.
In areas where water has not yet returned, alternative water supplies are being provided to support local communities and Uisce Éireann is tankering water to treated water reservoirs to resupply smaller schemes. Uisce Éireann are also liaising with Local Coordination Groups and Emergency Response Hubs in areas where these have been established.
Updates on the location of these alternative water supplies and other supply updates are available on the Uisce Éireann website, and customers can also contact Uisce Éireann directly on 1800 278 278.
The estimated effect of Storm Éowyn on the national telecoms userbase was the largest in the Commission for Communications Regulation (Comreg’s) recording history. Repair and restoration work is now showing significant progress in restoring connectivity and several fixed service operator networks have been returned to normal service levels.
As of 2 February 2025:
The most impacted areas continue to be the north and west of the country.
Calls to emergency services utilise any available network, regardless of operator subscription. These are expected to continue to function as normal nationwide.
Restoration of Mobile Service will focus on voice and SMS initially; data services may be slower to return. ComReg is monitoring the situation and liaising with operators; further updates will be provided over the coming days.
Ireland has been actively working with colleagues in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism since 22 January requesting an initial damage assessment through Copernicus (satellite mapping).
When severe emergencies occur, national authorities first develop an overview of the situation, making requests based on the needs identified. It is essential that a needs assessment be carried out to ensure appropriate and detailed requests can be made for limited shared resources.
The NECG Infrastructure sub-group identified the need for large capacity generator support which was relayed through the Common Emergency Communications & Information System (CECIS) on the afternoon of Saturday 25 February.
Ireland has been offered:
The generators are being deployed to support Uisce Éireann and telecommunications infrastructure.
Local authorities are coordinating a local level humanitarian assistance response to the needs of people who have been significantly impacted by the storm. Local Coordination Groups are now in place in 16 local authority areas.
A key focus is on ensuring the welfare of vulnerable or isolated people. A number of organisations including Uisce Éireann, ESB Networks, An Post, An Garda Síochána, HSE and Local Link are checking in on vulnerable people and any concerns will be raised through the Local Coordination Group for follow up.
Any member of the public who has any concerns about friends, family or neighbours can contact their local coordination group helpline who will follow up. Helpline numbers are available at www.gov.ie/StormResponse.
There are 327 Emergency Response Hubs currently operational, down from a high of 380. These include community led hubs with local authority financial and administrative supports. Emergency Response Hubs are assisting people with basic needs such as water, hot food, phone charging, broadband access, and shower facilities.
At lunchtime today, emergency response hubs were operating in the following locations. Check with your local authority for the latest updates:
Further details on the above hubs are available at www.gov.ie/stormresponse and an interactive map of hubs is available.
The Irish Red Cross is running Happy Hubs in Leitrim and Monaghan for teenagers and exam-year students impacted by Storm Eowyn power outages.
Exam-year students and teenagers who are dealing with power outage and limited internet access are invited to drop by the Happy Hub – a special space focused on wellbeing for young people organised by the Irish Red Cross. Activities will be led by Red Cross Youth leaders including art and wellbeing sessions with snacks and drinks, and tea / coffee provided.
Leaving Cert students and young people who want to complete their CAO forms will find a dedicated space available just for them.
Parents of teenagers are welcome to drop in to chat with Irish Red Cross volunteers over a cuppa and discuss any support needs they might have too.
The Happy Hub by the Irish Red Cross is a welcoming space for young people who may be experiencing stress as a result of the storm damage and power outages.
The Happy Hub In Leitrim will open on bank holiday Monday in the Landmark Hotel, Carrick On Shannon from 2 – 4pm.
The Happy Hub in Monaghan will on bank holiday Monday in Shirley Arms Hotel in Carrickmacross from 1 – 4pm.
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.
Stage 1 provides emergency support payments for food, clothing and personal items in the immediate aftermath of the event. These payments are not income tested and are generally for essential food and clothing based on the immediate need of impacted individuals.
Non-income tested support is available under Stage 1 of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme for alternative accommodation costs.
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme can also provide support for replacement of goods and more extensive longer-term support.
The Community Welfare Service is working closely with the local authorities and Community Welfare Officers are visiting people in their homes where necessary to provide support.
Any homeowner affected by severe should contact the Community Welfare Service. Emergency Community Welfare Service contact details are available here: gov.ie - Customer Notices.
ESB Networks has been made aware of potentially very dangerous incidents where members of the public have unknowingly approached fallen electricity infrastructure. People are reminded to stay safe, stay clear of fallen electricity wires.
If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous. Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999.
Arising from storm Éowyn, and subsequent damage to the ESB network, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) understands that electrical generators are being used to provide temporary replacement power. When installing and using electrical generators, it is crucial to ensure that the electrical installation work is carried out by a competent person.
Persons installing generators should observe the electrical safety standards and ensure they do not connect a generator to a socket or distribution board. Doing so will create a feed onto the electricity network and will pose a danger to others including ESB network repair crews. It’s important to know that portable generators can bring a fire risk and emit carbon monoxide (CO) – a poisonous, deadly gas.
The public are also reminded:
For more safety guidance, visit the Carbon Monoxide website.
The Department of Education advised that schools closed due to Storm Éowyn could reopen, as long as it is safe to do so, and power has been restored. If a school has any issues caused by the storm, the board of management can make the decision to remain closed until it is safe to reopen.
The majority of schools have now had power restored and any remaining schools are scheduled to have power restored in the coming days. The department is continuing to liaise with ESB Networks to get power restored in these schools and is particularly conscious of supporting the small number of schools where the estimated power restoration is after the weekend with the provision of generators. It is envisaged that the generators will be provided over the weekend to facilitate these schools opening on Tuesday.
School authorities should contact their insurance provider for advice and guidance in relation to any damage to school buildings due to the storm. The Department of Education's Planning and Building Unit can also advise and assist schools including in relation to the remit of the Emergency Works Scheme for State-owned buildings.
Exceptional application facility for those who have been impacted by Storm Éowyn to be made available on the CAO website until 5pm on 6 February.
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the National Cyber Security Centre are aware of scam text messages in circulation purporting to come from ESB Networks.
Users should exercise caution when receiving messages from unknown numbers.
Government departments and agencies or your bank will never phone, text, email or video call you unexpectedly asking for your bank details.
Users should not engage directly, nor share any personal information if asked, and should block and report the suspicious number if necessary.
If you believe you are a victim of a cyber-crime, contact your local Garda station and take screenshots of texts, emails or other communications.
Further information is available on the ESB website.
Details of health service disruptions can be found on the HSE website and the HSE will also provide regular updates through local media and on national and regional social media channels.
In situations where service users have no electricity at home and are reliant on electronically powered medical devices, they should immediately consider the following advice: