Laois council CEO defends €26m cost to turn derelict convent into houses
The high cost to the taxpayer of turning a derelict convent in Portlaoise into social homes and public spaces, has been defended by the CEO of Laois County council.
It is expected to cost €26 million to renovate the former Presentation convent and build 48 apartments and four houses, a cost that came in for criticism at the December council meeting.
While the project includes public meeting areas, the breakdown is on average €500,000 per home, and some may even cost more, confirmed by the Director of Services for Housing, Angela McEvoy.
Cllr Aisling Moran had queried the cost.
"The cost is €500,000 per apartment. Did nobody say 'if this is a crazy price, maybe we should put it back out to tender. This is crazy," she said.
"That's very expensive," Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald had agreed.
The CEO John Mulholland said it is more than just housing.
"It is an important project. Cllr Bracken has asked many times about the mill in Mountmellick also, can it be done? There are two aspects here, firstly the public realm side, and second the history of it.
"Some of the units will cost €370,000 or €380,000. There are two or three funding streams open to Sophia, through urban regeneration and heritage. This is an issue facing many Irish towns. What value do we put on heritage structures? We do a proper site exploration to consider all risks. If it's not funded we walk away and nobody wants that," he said.
The project is a joint effort by Laois County Council and the Sophia Housing Association, funded by the Department of Housing.
It is hoped to be complete by the end of 2026.
All the homes will have one or two bedrooms and are for people on Laois County Council’s social housing list.
The listed buildings are to be carefully restored. The project will offer community spaces for public use and social gatherings, and a new public parkland bordering the Triogue River, which will be part of the blueway shortcut through the town.
There will be a plaza and vegetable allotments. The wall at the front of the convent will be removed to integrate it into the streetscape.
The site has a long and colourful history, starting with a 16th century stone tower still in place. Read more here.