Uisce Éireann CEO set for €118k pay rise as annual report reveals €392,000 package

Niall Gleeson, chief executive of Uisce Éireann. Picture: Naoise Culhane

Uisce Éireann chief executive Niall Gleeson is set to receive a €118,000 increase in his pay package in 2026, bringing its total value to €391,953.

Mr Gleeson’s expected remuneration package was disclosed in Uisce Éireann’s 2025 annual report, released on July 2. His 2025 pay package was valued at €274,000.

No bonus payment was made to Mr Gleeson, as semi-state chief executives have been barred from receiving bonuses since 2011.

However, bonus payments for staff across the water utility rose significantly, increasing by 36.5% to €17.84m.

Uisce Éireann recorded a pre-tax surplus of €396m, up €75m from 2024.

Chris McCarthy, chief financial officer, said the surplus was accompanied by €801m in Government funding to support "critical infrastructure projects" across Ireland.

“This allowed us to improve the quality of our water supply, improve our compliance with standards and increase capacity for housing and development to support economic growth,” he said.

Annual report 

Uisce Éireann also recorded a €59m increase in capital expenditure, while average staffing levels increased by almost 1,000 employees to 3,013.

The report disclosed that performance-related payments were made to 3,239 employees for the 2025 performance year.

The utility also incurred €5.88m in legal costs across 54 cases, of which €1.8m related to settlements.

Net debt rose by €50m to €647m.

Chairperson Jerry Grant described 2025 as a positive year for Uisce Éireann, citing a reduction in the national leakage rate and a decrease in the number of areas requiring priority wastewater improvements.

“It has been a busy and rewarding year for Uisce Éireann, with many positive outcomes that reflect the progress we are making towards building a fully transformed national water utility for Ireland,” he said.

Uisce Éireann received €2.2bn in Exchequer funding in 2025.