The Taoiseach has said he ‘fully understands the anger and frustration’ of people who still have no electricity more than a week after Storm Éowyn.
ESB Networks confirmed 74,000 homes, farms, schools and businesses were still without power last night following last Friday’s storm, while 800 premises had no water and 20,000 homes had no broadband.
It said yesterday that some people may not have power restored until next Wednesday or Thursday.
Micheál Martin said that anyone without power for such an extended period of time would be ‘very anxious and very worried’.
He acknowledged it was ‘a very severe hardship’ for those affected but said repair crews were doing ‘everything they possibly can’ to address the problem.
He added: ‘Obviously, as you go more rural [for line repairs] it gets more challenging. The number you can bring back [to the grid] with every repair is smaller.’
Mr Martin said the frequency and severity of storms of this nature is increasing and there needs to be a step change in the Government’s response to them.
Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary assured householders of his department’s continued support for those affected by Storm Éowyn.
He said humanitarian assistance is available for homeowners affected by the storm, while financial support is available to people who do not have any power or water supply – including payment through the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme for alternative accommodation.
He said a total of €316,000 has been paid to date for 1,613 claims. The State scheme can help to replace white goods, basic furniture and other essential household items and to repair damage to plastering, dry-lining, floors, electrical wiring and paint.
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The National Emergency Co-ordination Group met again yesterday to continue to co-ordinate efforts to restore power, water, telecommunications and other services following Storm Éowyn.
It said several large-capacity generators are being provided by Poland and Denmark, following a request through the EU.
The generators are being deployed to support Uisce Éireann and telecommunications operators to bring water, phone and broadband services back to homes and businesses.
Teams from Alone have been supporting older people in affected areas.
Seán Moynihan, the charity’s chief, said: We’re still concerned about older people who may not have been on the books of any organisation such as ourselves; there may be people who never needed help before, who now find themselves isolated or without power or phone coverage – we’re here to step into that gap if required.’
