MINISTER JAMES BROWNE has written to Uisce Éireann expressing his concern over planned water supply interruptions scheduled to go ahead during the warm weather.
The letter, seen by The Journal, from the minister for housing and local government says:
“With Ireland set to experience a period of high temperatures, I am seriously concerned about the impact that water outages could have on the public, and in particular on vulnerable people, including the elderly, those with chronic illness and young children, for whole access to water during a heatwave is a matter of health and safety”.
He goes on to request that Uisce Éireann review all elective works currently scheduled and where works are not urgent, should be postponed “until the period of extreme heat has passed”.
“Where works must go ahead, I ask the affected households receive maximum advance notice and that alternative water provision is made available for those who may need it”.
The correspondence comes as temperatures have already reached the high 20s this week, with Ireland’s all-time temperature record potentially under threat on Thursday.
A high temperature weather warning is in place nationwide until Friday.
The government has also advised older people to avoid direct sunlight as the unusually intense spell of hot weather continues.
In a statement this afternoon, Minister for Older People Kieran O’Donnell said high temperatures could lead to heat stress, heat exhaustion and heatstroke, with potentially serious consequences for vulnerable people.
“I would urge older people, and those caring for someone, to take precautions to protect themselves such as staying cool and hydrated, and to be on alert for signs of heat exhaustion and dehydration,” O’Donnell said.
O’Donnell also urged older people to avoid direct sunlight and to stay connected with friends, family or neighbours.