Exasperation in Laois council over Portlaoise housing 'debacle'

A new timeframe for the completion of council houses has exasperated a Portlaoise councillor who has labelled the situation a ‘debacle’.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley, Sinn Féin, expressed her frustration over the situation at Clonroosk on the Mountmellick side of town at a meeting with Laois County Council officials.

Cllr Dwane Stanley tabled a motion calling on the local authority to give an update on when the remaining social/council houses in Clonroosk Abbey will be tenanted. People on the council's housing waiting list are due to be homed there.

Trevor Hennessy, Acting /Senior Enginneer replied in writing in relation to the 18 houses at Clonroosk Abbey which are part of Phases 2 and 3 of the development.

"It is expected that units in Phase 2 shall be ready by the end of March, with tenanting coms thereafter. It is anticipated that a further 12 units in Phase 3 shall be completed by the end of Q2 2024," he said.

The Sinn Féin represented was frustrated by what she said was another new timeframe for completion of a project that was promised nearly three years. She indicated that people who were told they would get houses in the estate have given up waiting but is aware of one woman who is living with her parents in overcrowded conditions.

“I don’t think any of us have seen a debacle like this before where we have waited so long for a housing development. I hope lessons will be learned,” she told councillors and officials.

She said the problem did not rest with the council while the housing body are ‘at the end of their tether’ trying to get it completed. 

Cllr Dwane Stanley, who lives in part of the estate, said construction had been hit by lots of problems with utilities and rising costs which have contributed to delays.

“We have had so many false dawns…It has gone beyond a joke we really need these houses,” she said.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, Fianna Fáil, supported her colleague. 

“It’s just not fair on people who are hoping to get houses or the existing residents,” she said.

Cllr Fitzgerald said agencies have to work together and realised there is a housing emergency.

The issue was raised at the March meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.