A number of generators were due to arrive from Romania in Dublin Airport on Thursday as efforts continue to restore electricity and water to all parts Ireland almost a week after Storm Éowyn.
Some 86,000 homes, businesses and farms remained without power and 2,800 without water on Thursday.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris were briefed on Thursday about the ongoing response.
A spokesman for Mr Harris said there will be an increased humanitarian effort in the coming days to assist those waiting to be reconnected with nearly 3,000 people working with the ESB to restore power.
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An extra 200 people have been deployed since Wednesday with contractors arriving from six countries to assist – the UK, Austria, Finland, France, Netherlands and Germany.
Most of the schools without power will have it restored by Friday or the weekend, with generators being deployed to others, the spokesman said, adding that the civil defence are on the ground across impacted areas, moving generators and assisting the ESB.
In addition, Ireland is to receive 17 generators from the European Union following a request for assistance.
The Department of Social Protection said it remains available to provide financial support to people who do not have any power or water supply. This includes support to pay for alternative accommodation if necessary.
People who need assistance in the areas affected should contact their local community welfare service. No means test will apply in these cases.
ESB Networks said on Thursday evening it had restored supply to 682,000 homes, farms and businesses – down from a peak of 768,000 without power in the immediate aftermath of the record-breaking storm which saw gusts of 183km/h.
The electricity supplier has warned about “very dangerous incidents” where members of the public have “unknowingly” approached fallen electricity infrastructure and fallen debris, particularly in the worst affected areas of the country.
Up to 3,000 electricity poles across the country must be replaced while 900km of new cable must be laid.
In Northern Ireland, about 23,500 customers were still without power following the storm, down from a height of 261,500, Northern Ireland Electricity Networks has said.
Uisce Éireann has added that generators are now in place and connected at most of their affected water treatment sites. Alternative water supplies and tankers will remain in place as supplies return.
In areas where water has not yet returned, alternative water supplies are being provided to support local communities. Uisce Éireann is also liaising with local co-ordination groups and emergency response hubs in areas where these have been set up.
Several schools have experienced “significant damage” as a result of the storm, according to the Department of Education and it has requested that any school which has incurred damage to make contact.
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