Water, Sewage & Electricity within Laois straining to keep pace with local Housing Developments

Current and planned Laois housing developments slowed or curtailed by current infrastructure deficits

Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley says that:

“If infrastructure is not upgraded in several towns and villages in Laois, many of these locations in the County will have already reached full capacity limits, which in turn will rule out new housing developments.

Towns such as Rathdowney, Portarlington, Mountrath, Ballylinan and Stradbally have reached or exceeded capacity in relation to water supply. Mountmellick and Graiguecullen have almost reached capacity limits in terms of sewage/wastewater capacity. Borris in Ossory, Ballinakill and the Swan have reached their limits in terms of both water supply and wastewater treatment.

Uisce Eireann has not increased the water supply capacity in any Laois town since it came into being 11 years ago, despite the billions of euros that it has received.   Any significant housing development will be held back if service capacity is not increased across these locations in Laois.

It’s essential that wastewater and sewage capacity is upgraded in the coming years. The funding of projects in the National Development Plan is to be announced shortly. These must include water and electricity infrastructure in Laois. While the announcement by Uisce Eireann of improvement works to Ballyroan sewage treatment scheme is welcome, almost all other Laois towns and villages have infrastructure deficits.

Portlaoise also has a electricity capacity issue which the ESB informed me they are working to improve. However, information that was recently given about the Sandwood Estate in Portlaoise was incorrect, in stating that it had been held up by the ESB. In fact, it had been held up by the Developer who didn’t have the required works in place, including bases for transformers and other civil works completed.  

This was clarified at the time by the ESB who clearly stated that were ready to go ahead with connections since June.  But was informed by the builders it would take another 3 weeks before they were ready.

There is a huge demand for Private, Social and Affordable to Buy Housing Schemes across the County. Unless Government include Laois in their funding plans for infrastructure and our towns and villages get their slice of the National Development Plan funding, housing in Laois will be stalled”.

Please Note: Between August 11 and 18 inclusive Independent Republican TD Deputy Brian Stanley has paid for advertising across the Laois People Channels