Latest Laois News: 2021 sees rise in Laois Social Housing stock

Yesterday’s (Feb 22) monthly meeting of Laois County Council (LCC) saw LCC CEO John Mulholland give a Powerpoint presentation to Laois councillors on the new social housing stock within the county that, in some cases, is just weeks away from occupation. To the councillors’ evident delight Mr. Mulholland listed the 141 units which will become available in the near future for occupation.

The construction of these units was allowed continue as they were nearing completion and deemed ‘essential’ construction. The 141 units include 61 in Portlaoise. They consist of 9 on the Borris Road built by Tuath Housing, another 9 units in Bellingham courtesy of Cluid who is also building 10 units in Holdbrook on the Dublin Road and 14 units at Clonrooske Abbey and a total of 19 on Lake Drive in the Kilminchy Estate being built by Co-operative Ireland,

Laois’ second-biggest town of Portarlington will see a further 40 units come on stream shortly. Of these 22 in Ballymorris are “ready to go very shortly” according to Mr. Mulholland. The remaining 18 Portarlington units are in The Glen, Kilnacourt and they are being built by Co-operative Ireland.

The remainder of the units across Laois comprise of 6 houses on Borris-In-Ossory’s Main Street and another 6 on Mountrath’s Shannon St., seven houses up in Clonaslee and 4 units in Killeshin which are apartments. Adding to the stock of apartments across the county are 20 apartments which are now finished on Graiguecullen’s Ballickmoyler Road.

Councillor James Kelly thanked Mr. Mulholland for his report and pointed out that some of the people moving into the houses on Mountrath’s Shannon St. are downsizing therefore freeing up housing stock elsewhere.

Councillor Caroline Dwane Stanley welcomed the report; “Great to see progress on housing.” However Cllr. Dwane Stanley was really frustrated on the progress on the field behind Portlaoise’s O’ Moore Place. She asked the Director of Services to come back with reason for delay.

“If it needs CPO’ing (Compulsory Purchase Order) let’s get on with it.”

Both Councillors Padraig Fleming and Aisling Moran were ‘delighted’ with this news on the housing front. Councillor John Joe Fennelly thanked Mr. Mulholland for his “very good” report. Cllr. Fennelly continued;

“(I) want to congratulate Laois County Council’s Housing Section. When will people be able to move in?”

Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Councillor Catherine Fitzgerald praised the quality and standard of the houses being built. She added;

“People are getting fabulous homes.”

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