Laois council tenants left relying on 'burnt out' solid fuel cookers

Some tenants of Laois County Council are relying on old style solid fuel cookers, some of which are "burnt out" claims a Portlaoise Fine Gael councillor.

Cllr Willie Aird has asked for new cookers for two of the tenants living in Triogue Court on the Timahoe Road.

He tabled a motion to the January meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, describing the cookers as being "in a poor state of repair".

"It's the first time I've had to do this. Every time I brought this up, the issue they blame is chimneys or maintenance.

"It's a small amount of money here for the local authority. People deserve to be looked after. 

"These are solid fuel cookers. When it's burnt out, it's burnt out.

"If I don't get a favourable response I'll put it back in next month," Cllr Aird said.

In response, the council's housing department has promised that its Clerk of Works will carry out an inspection on the two units highlighted by Cllr Aird, to "assess the cooking facilities in these units".

Cllr Barry Walsh seconded the motion, and said there were similar issues in his area of Ballyroan.