section_path: Impact/Ireland/February 2025
section_name: February 2025
paragraph_text: February 2025
  
  On 2 February 2025, 10 days after Storm Éowyn hit Ireland, the ESB has restored power to 729,000 customers, but around 39,000 were still without electricity. Technicians from Austria, Finland, France, Great Britain, Germany, Netherlands and Norway assisted with repairs in the hardest-hit areas.
  
  On 5 February 2025 Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh told the Dáil that the father of a constituent died while seeking medical help. His vital medical devices, including sleep apnea equipment had stopped working due to power outages.
  
  Additionally on 5 February, during a Dáil debate on Storm Éowyn, Minister Dara Calleary said the Department of Social Protection had provided €727,792 in payments to those without power. Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien reported 18,000 people still without electricity, with the priority being to restore it safely. Sinn Féin's Claire Kerrane criticised the Government for delayed responses, especially in Roscommon and Galway, and called for better protection of power lines. Other Sinn Féin TDs highlighted ongoing challenges, while Labour leader Ivana Bacik shared the emotional toll on families affected by power outages. Social Democrats ' Jennifer Whitmore and others also expressed frustration with the lack of coordination and support.
  
  On 7 February, ESB Networks confirmed that repair costs from Storm Éowyn will not affect electricity prices in 2025. While CEO Paddy Hayes initially suggested the cleanup could cost "tens of millions," he later apologised for his remarks and clarified that it is too early to determine the costs. As of two weeks after the storm, 5,500 customers remained without power. Future price adjustments may occur after 2026, depending on the review by regulators. The full cost of repairs remained unclear. Any future price hikes would depend on changes in charges from ESB Networks and EirGrid.
  
  In the early afternoon of 9 February, it was announced that 1,500 electricity customers remained without power. Additionally, 0.36% of water customers and 0.13% of mobile customers were still experiencing outages or interruptions. The NECG held a meeting on Sunday (9 February) to coordinate the ongoing restoration of essential services like electricity, water, and telecommunications. Storm Éowyn left more areas without power than any previous storm.
  
  In the late evening of 9 February, it was reported that approximately 700 electricity customers were still without power over two weeks after Storm Éowyn. ESB Networks aimed to complete most of the reconnections by Sunday (9 February) evening, though some areas will remain without power overnight. The remaining outages were mainly in counties Roscommon, Mayo, north Galway and south Leitrim. Technicians from Austria, Finland, the UK, Germany, and Norway continued assisting alongside 2,500 ESB Networks personnel, partner contractors, and additional support from other regions of Ireland, including experienced retirees. Over 1,300 staff members were handling logistics, emergency calls, damage assessments, and network management. The NECG was also addressing disruptions to water, telecommunications, and other services. Study hubs were set up for students preparing for exams who were struggling with internet access.
  
  On 12 February, ESB Networks announced that power had now been restored to the over 768,000 customers affected by Storm Éowyn. Over €1.2 million was distributed through the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (HAS) to those affected, with an average payment of €210 per claim. Sinn Féin has called for expanded support to include businesses and community groups, alongside a goodwill payment from ESB based on outage duration. They also proposed suspending standing charges and the Public Service Obligation levy. The Government defended its response, stating a comprehensive review will be conducted to improve future resilience, while ESB maintains it does not compensate for outages caused by severe weather. Emergency response hubs remain operational in Galway and Mayo to support those still experiencing broadband issues.
  
  On 18 February 2025, ComReg reported that 3,500 fixed-line users were still without a broadband service. Eir estimated that all services would be restored by the end of February. On 20 February 2025, Insurance Ireland, the insurance sector representative body in Ireland, estimated that the cost of insurance claims arising from the storm damage could reach €300 million, making it the most expensive weather event in Ireland in 25 years.
  
  In April 2025 it was reported that 20 to 30 houses in Mayo were still without a telephone landline connection, over 70 days after the storm. Also in April, it was reported that an estimated 24,000 hectares of forestry were blown down by the storm.