Uisce Éireann to immediately purchase 100 extra generators following Storm Éowyn

UISCE ÉIREANN IS set to order an extra 100 generators straight away following the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.

The national authority in charge of water treatment services nationwide will conduct a review to assess its emergency backup power supplies and alternative energy options in preparation for future storms.

Before the review, Uisce Éireann will “front load” its generator capacity by ordering the 100 additional generators right away.

The Minister for Housing and Local Government, James Browne, will be updating the Cabinet today on the measures taken by the State agency in response to the extreme weather event that occurred in late January.

Over 138,000 people were left without access to water following the storm, as reported by Uisce Éireann.

The counties of Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Donegal, Laois, Kilkenny, Waterford and Tipperary were the ones that were hit the hardest.

The supply of water was disrupted due to the fact that treatment plants had lost power.

This was despite work undertaken by Irish Water in anticipation of the storm which included hundreds of permanent generators at treatment plants being tested.

Over 300 mobile generators were handed out in advance.

Established in 2014, Uisce Éireann provides potable water to 85% of the population and wastewater services to 70% of the population.

The Cabinet will also receive an update this morning on discussions between the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and trade unions representing staff under Section 39.

These are workers employed by privately owned charities and agencies that have been contracted by the State to provide healthcare services.

It’s expected that Minister Norma Foley will inform Cabinet that plans are being progressed to resume discussions through the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) very shortly.

The WRC’s discussions were put on hold until November, following the general election and the establishment of a new government.

The Programme for Government is committed to working in partnership with the sector to address pay-related issues that impact on the provision of disability services.

Historically, the pay of people working in Section 39 organisations was tied to the pay of HSE staff. However, during the economic downturn, these organisations were told to make pay cuts in line with those made on HSE staff.

Organisations under Section 39 were told to make pay cuts in line with those made to HSE staff.

However, during the recovery, pay for HSE staff was reinstated, but extra funding to reinstate the pay of staff in Section 39 organisations was not provided.

about potential industrial action.

More houses, hopefully

A significant boost in funding for the provision of housing.

The meeting of the sub-committee on housing occurred for the first time last night.