Uisce Éireann spent €9.3m over five years on paying compensation

Irish MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú critical of spending at the national water utility

More than €9.3m over five years was spent compensating members of the public who have sustained injuries or had property damaged by Irish Water, Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú said.

More than €9.3m over five years was spent compensating members of the public who have sustained injuries or had property damaged by Irish Water, an Irish MEP said.

Fianna Fáil Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú said that between 2020 and July 2025, Uisce Éireann spent €9,324,210.63 on this compensation.

Ms Ní Mhurchú also said figures from Uisce Éireann, revealed under FOI, show Irish Water spent €364,422.57 between 2022 and 2024 on external public relations consultants. Irish Water spent €103,833.50, exclusive of Vat, in 2024 alone on media monitoring services to monitor what media are saying about Uisce Éireann.

“€10m would pay for up to 200 extra gardaí for a year policing our streets. That is how we have to look at this spending,” said Ms Ní Mhurchú. 

“€10m would pay for up to 200 extra gardaí for a year policing our streets. That is how we have to look at this spending,” said Ms Ní Mhurchú. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

“I understand that some level of spending is inevitable on these items but the almost €10m of spending that I have uncovered feels like the tip of the iceberg and I would call on Uisce Éireann to respect taxpayers and ensure that every single penny at the utility is spent frugally and wisely.” 

Ms Ní Mhurchú welcomed an investment of €1.4bn in Uisce Éireann as part of last week’s budget but raised concerns on aspects of their spending, saying it sends the wrong message to small businesses who are paying water rates.

She described investment in Uisce Éireann as a vital part of fixing the housing crisis but said any public body in receipt of taxpayer's money to “spend the money as if it were their own”.

She referenced that the European Court of Auditors, ECA, may be required to look at the spending by Irish public bodies if EU funds were involved. The ECA audits EU spending and produces reports that identify poor value for money.