Most parts of the country will see a resumption of normal water supply within the next two days, but Dublin restrictions are expected to remain in place until 10 January.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley made the announcement following a meeting of the water sub-committee of the National Severe Weather Co-ordination Committee at the Custom House.
The minister said that significant progress was being made across the country to deal with water leaks and stoppages, but added it would take time for services to return to normal.
Restrictions on water supplies will be eased in most areas tomorrow night to facilitate New Year's Eve celebrations.
County/city council information
Dublin City Council said its very restrictive regime would have to continue, but confirmed it would also minimise restrictions tomorrow night. Restrictions will however be in place from 6pm this evening until 2pm tomorrow afternoon.
The Dublin water supply will then continue until 1am Saturday morning, when pressure will be reduced until 4pm in the afternoon.
Hotels, pubs and restaurants had said they were not sure how they would cope if they had to deal with water shortages during an expected surge in business tomorrow night.
Householders and businesses throughout the country have been coping with water shortages since the thaw set in on St Stephen's Day following the severe freezing weather.
Restrictions are currently in force in every county with local authorities struggling to deal with demand for water outweighing supply.
Repair crews have been deployed all this week to fix leaks; mobile water supplies are being delivered to the worst hit areas by council workers.
Meanwhile, warnings have been issued to householders that bogus callers may use the crisis as an excuse to get into people's homes.
People have been reminded that local authority workers always carry identification and that people in any doubt should not allow callers into their homes.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers have strongly condemned the way in which Northern Ireland Water has handled the current water crisis.
Peter Robinson said the water authority had been shambolic and ineffective during the crisis and said it was 'not fit for purpose'.
6,000 homes are still without supply and 60,000 other householders and businesses also face having their water supply curtailed on a rotation basis.
The company says it could be into next week before the normal water service is fully restored.
The members of the Stormont Executive were called back early from their Christmas break to decide how the chaotic situation could be resolved.
Martin McGuinness said people needed to be held accountable and said he was not going to make excuses for a body that had 'so miserably failed our citizens'.
The Scottish government has sent assistance in the form of almost 200,000 litres of bottles water. This is now being distributed across the 26 local council areas in Northern Ireland.
For further information check your local council website
Carlow County Council | Cavan County Council | Clare County Council | Cork City Council | Cork County Council | Donegal County Council | Dublin City Council | Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council | Fingal County Council | Galway City Council | Galway County Council | Kerry County Council | Kildare County Council | Kilkenny County Council | Laois County Council | Leitrim County Council | Limerick City Council | Limerick County Council | Louth County Council | Mayo County Council | Meath County Council | Monaghan County Council | North Tipperary County Council | Offaly County Council | Roscommon County Council | Sligo County Council | South Dublin County Council | South Tipperary County Council | Waterford City Council | Waterford County Council | Westmeath County Council | Wexford County Council | Wicklow County Council|
