Strategic Stakeholder Engagement 2025
Stakeholder engagement remains a priority to Uisce Éireann. In 2025, we continued to engage proactively and transparently with our customers and stakeholders, recognising their critical role in shaping our services and strategy. We have further strengthened our feedback mechanisms and collaborative partnerships to ensure we are responsive to evolving needs and expectations.
Key Relationships
Employees
How we engaged in 2025
This year, we accelerated our organisational transformation, supporting the integration of Local Authority staff and engaged through our national Asset Operations Organisation Structure.
We enhanced our employee engagement and wellbeing initiatives, with a particular focus on supporting staff through change.
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council’s broadened its scope, and we continued to foster a positive, proactive safety culture through our “Work Safe Home Safe” programme. Engagement with unions and staff representatives remained a priority, particularly in the context of the ongoing transfer of Local Authority Water Services staff under the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) Framework. We also equipped colleagues with accessible messaging tools and content to empower them as advocates for work of national importance.
Priorities
- Safety and Wellbeing
- Organisational Performance
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Transformation and Change Management
Customers and Communities
How we engaged in 2025:
We continued to place customers and communities at the heart of our operations. Our 24/7 customer contact centre handled record volumes of calls, particularly during major incidents such as Storm Éowyn. We expanded our text alert and digital communication services, ensuring timely updates during outages and planned works. Public consultations, information campaigns, and local engagement events were further enhanced to support transparency and trust.
Priorities
- Customer-Centric Services
- Secure, Safe Water Services
- Environmental Protection
- Resilience During Disruption
Elected Representatives, Shareholders and Regulators
How we engaged in 2025:
We work with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on funding, policy, and delivery. We also provide information to An Taoiseach, An Tánaiste and Ministers in response to questions on public water services raised under Oireachtas business such as parliamentary questions, leaders questions, topical issues debates and commencement matters.
Our dedicated contact service for elected representatives offers a dedicated telephone and email service exclusively for elected representatives nationwide. This service efficiently handles approximately 13,000 queries annually and proactively engages with elected representatives regarding queries, reflecting the increased public and political focus on water infrastructure. We provide regular updates on strategic projects, resilience measures, and investment priorities, and continued to engage directly with the Oireachtas and local authorities through committee hearings, clinics, and regional briefings. We recognise the need to review how we manage these interactions and improve on the services offered.
We formally attended the Oireachtas on three occasions at the Public Accounts Committee, the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government & Heritage, and the Joint Committee on Infrastructure & National Development Plan Delivery. We also undertook to support the briefing of nine newly (or re) appointed Government Ministers as they took up office in areas such as Finance, Housing, Planning and Infrastructure, as well as others through related Cabinet sub-Committees.
Our relationships with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) remained strong, with regular reporting and dialogue on performance, compliance, and price control. The Strategic Funding Plan 2025–2029 was developed and approved in close consultation with our regulators and Government stakeholders.
Priorities
- Water Services Resilience and Security
- Advocacy for Investment
- Local and National Project Engagement
- Policy & Implementation
- Regulatory Compliance
- Efficient and Transparent Operations
Service Delivery Partners
How we engaged in 2025:
We deepened collaboration with contractors and third parties, particularly in the context of delivering major capital projects such as the Water Supply Project and Greater Dublin Drainage. Our procurement processes were further strengthened to ensure transparency, sustainability, and resilience in our supply chain.
Priorities
- Safety and Compliance
- Value for Money
- Sustainable Procurement
Formal Stakeholder Representative Groups
How we engaged in 2025:
We kept key a wide cross section of stakeholders informed on a number of priority issues through quarterly National Stakeholder Forum Meetings and An Fóram Uisce (National Water Forum) Meetings. We also continued to engage with groups such as the Construction Industry Federation, Irish Farmers Association, and environmental NGO’s, providing regular updates on plans and projects. Two-way dialogue and expert briefings supported informed decision-making and fostered a culture of transparency.
Priorities
- Water Resource Quality and Security
- Environmental and Community Impact
- Advocacy for Investment
- National Project Engagement
- Policy & Implementation
- Customer-Centric Services
Business Representative Groups
How we engaged in 2025:
Engagement with Ibec, Chambers Ireland, Construction Industry Ireland, Engineers Ireland and other representative bodies intensified in 2025, with a focus on the role of national resilient water infrastructure in supporting Ireland’s economic growth and competitiveness while addressing the key concerns of Irish businesses – such as capacity for housing. We worked to ensure water services remain a priority in business policy and advocacy, particularly around key milestones in the year including the review of the National Development Plan & Sectoral Plans, Budget 2026, Delivering Homes & Building Communities and the implementation of the Planning & Development Act.
Priorities
- Water Services Resilience
- Economic Development Support
- Advocacy for Investment
- National Project Engagement
- Policy & Implementation
How we engage
Uisce Éireann’s approach to stakeholder engagement in 2025 was characterised by continuous, responsive, and two-way communication. We leveraged a mix of digital platforms, media, face-to-face meetings, information events, and bespoke contact centres to ensure information was accessible, meaningful, and accountable. Our commitment to open consultation and transparent communication is unwavering, underpinning our efforts to deliver for all stakeholders in a rapidly changing environment.