Delay for new windows and heating systems in older Portlaoise council houses

Three years on since retrofitting of Laois council houses began, St Brigid's Place in Portlaoise has not yet received any warm upgrades, but work is promised to start this year.

The housing estate is one of the oldest and biggest in Laois, but six other estates around the county had been prioritised because they were cheaper to retrofit with wall insulation, windows, doors, attic insulation and heating systems.

Back in 2021, Laois County Council was granted cash to retrofit its rental homes in Mountain View and Hillview in Portlaoise, Quigley Park, Rathdowney, Radharc Alainn in Arles, Derrymore Portarlington and Kirwan Park Mountmellick.

The works were estimated to cost up to €50,000 a house, to achieve a minimum BER rating of B2.

Now it is the turn of St Brigid's Place, for houses that are still owned there by the council.

Trevor Hennessy, council engineer for housing has given an update.

"Retrofitting works on the houses in St Brigid's Place are being delivered in three phases. Surveys of the houses in Phase 1 (15 units) has commenced and retrofitting works will start in Q3 (July to September) 2024.

"Surveys of the remaining houses in Phase 2 and 3 will start in Q4 2024 with retrofitting to commence on Phase 2 in 2025," he said.

The update was on foot of a motion tabled by Sinn Féin Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley, to the April meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

She also sought retrofitting for Balladine Heights and Balladine Drive in Abbeyleix.

"I raised this a couple of years ago. Half was to be done in 2023, the other half in 2024. There is obviously some delay. I am glad it is back on track.

"St Brigid's houses have a low energy rating. They are hard to heat. They badly need this upgrade. Some still have the old sash windows that open on top, they are a danger. You need to look at the heating systems and the windows. I'd like the council to priorities maisonettes," she said.

"I welcome that Balladine will be considered for retrofitting next year, I've had people there contact me," she said. 

The council had said that Balladine can be considered "in future retrofitting programmes subject to funding being approved".

The money is provided by the Government’s Midlands Retrofitting Programme.