In Pictures: Housing Minister does the honours in Laois

On Thursday 25th April, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, TD visited new social and affordable housing schemes in Co Laois. To see more pictures take by Alf Harvey on the tour supplied to the Leinster Express / Laois Live TAP NEXT or ARROW. To read more about the visit see below this photo.

In the presence of the Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Cllr Paschal McEvoy and Mr John Mulholland, Chief Executive, the Minister officially opened a number of Local Authority and Approved Housing Body social housing schemes.

They commenced in the morning at The Meadows, Mountrath Road, Portlaoise. This is one of a number of social housing schemes constructed by Cluid Housing Association in Portlaoise, comprising 48 houses and apartments and completed in late 2023.

The Minister also officially opened Goldencroft, a social housing scheme comprising 67 houses and apartments in Portlaoise.

Speaking on behalf of Clúid, Brian O’Gorman, Chief Executive Officer, welcomed the Minister.

“We’re delighted to have partnered with Laois County Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to deliver these 115 new social homes. These secure, long-term, affordable homes will provide a stable base for 115 families and individuals on Laois County Council’s housing list to build their lives and futures. These new homes bring the total number of social homes managed by Clúid in Laois to 626, and we look forward to our continued partnership delivering even more high-quality homes in the future,” she said.

The scheme is situated beside Portlaoise Train Station and is co-located with a public car park and EV vehicle charging points which were funded by Laois County Council and the Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.

Both car park and housing scheme were constructed by Ardain Developments. The Minister commended the contractor and Cluid Housing for their work.

“I’m delighted to be here in Portlaoise to see the wonderful homes being delivered through this strong partnership between Cluid and Laois County Council.

"Home building starts have surged in recent months with, with work starting on almost 12,000 more new homes in the first three months of this year – up 63% on last year. In Laois, there was a record number of new home commencements in the first three months of this year, up 84% on the same period last year.

"This positive momentum wouldn’t be possible without Approved Housing Bodies like Cluid. I’m especially pleased to be opening Laois’ first ever cost rental homes. Cost Rental is one of the major successes of Housing for All and offers long-term, sustainable rent at below market rates for the area,” he said.

The Minister visited and officially opened a new social housing scheme at Harpur’s Crescent, Portlaoise and met with residents of this 44-unit scheme constructed by CALF Funding by RESPOND Housing Association.

Niamh Randall, Spokesperson for Respond, highlighted the collaborative effort.

"The partnership with Laois County Council has been instrumental in bringing this development to fruition. It's a testament to what we can achieve together for the community. We are grateful for the ongoing support from our partners, including the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government, the Housing Finance Agency and The Housing Agency, which is crucial for us in delivering high-quality social housing.

"The tenants who have moved in to Harpur’s Lane will now become part of the community here and we hope they will be very happy. Over 78% of Respond’s delivery is newly constructed homes. Over the last 40 years, we’ve amassed considerable experience in managing the construction process and our in-house design team has wide ranging expertise in all aspects of housing delivery. We remain committed to playing our part building homes throughout the country and providing services for families and individuals who are in need,” she said.

The Minister was invited to turn the sod on a long-awaited and very important town regeneration project at the Presentation Convent site on Church Avenue, Portlaoise.

The project, which is situated in the heart of the Portlaoise Cultural Quarter, will by owned and managed by Sophia Housing Association and comprises 54 units, a mix of houses and apartments. The scheme will see the construction of housing on the former primary school site and the renovation of the Convent Building to provide much needed social housing and a return to town centre living in Portlaoise. The scheme is being constructed by Bretland Construction under the Dept of Housing Capital Assistance Scheme.

The Minister was greeted by Sophia Housing Association and their contractor who stated their excitement to build this scheme, and showcase the historic significance of the buildings, which were originally constructed c.1880. 

“This is an exciting project that will have transformational impact and be an important resource to the town of Portlaoise. In addition to providing 52 quality social homes for those on Laois’ social housing list, it will also deliver public parkland, a plaza, community gardens and play areas which will breathe new life into this derelict site,” said Minister O'Brien.

The Minister visited a number of other sites in Portlaoise, including a scheme of 28 Cost Rental apartments at The Maltings in Portlaoise, being delivered by Cluid Housing. Cost Rental is a new type of housing, designed for people whose income means they are not eligible for social housing or other support such as HAP, but who still struggle to rent on the open market.

He also visited residents of the Mount Stewart housing scheme in Portlaoise, a mix of private and social housing completed by Hollybrook Homes Ltd, and he viewed the construction of social and affordable homes on the site of An Lochán, Portlaoise, currently being delivered by Woodfort Group.

In the afternoon, the Minister travelled to Stradbally and was greeted by the residents of the first phase of Laois County Council’s own social housing scheme at Oakvale Meadows, Stradbally. The entire scheme comprises 31 units and is being constructed by Mark Coleman, contractor. The entire scheme will be complete in 2024.

The Minister also officially opened the Council’s social housing scheme at Vignole Gardens, Portarlington. The scheme, comprising a mix of 18 houses and apartments, includes the regeneration of a hotel building and the development of its site to the rear. The Minister was welcomed by residents.

“It is when I visit new developments such as this one, that I get to see the momentous effect it has on people’s lives when they get their own home. With these new properties, more families will now have a secure, high-quality, affordable place to call home.

"As you can see, through the hard work of our local authorities and approved housing bodies, we are delivering in Laois – as we are, under Housing for All, throughout the country,” he said.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Paschal McEvoy thanked the Minister for making the trip and visiting so many sites in Laois. He commended all involved for their hard work in making new homes available in the county.

John Mulholland, Laois County Council Chief Executive, also thanked the Minister for his visit.

“I welcome the Minister to Co. Laois to open and visit over 200 properties which will be provided for social housing in Portlaoise, Portarlington and Stradbally to meet the needs of our communities. These units are built to the highest standards, and I commend the Contractors engaged in the various schemes, who delivered energy efficient properties in very accessible locations.

"Additionally, I welcome the affordable options that are being showcased today which our teams in the Local Authority and the Dept of Housing have worked hard on to make happen, particularly the new Cost Rental Scheme being rolled out by Cluid at the Maltings Site, Portlaoise and the affordable purchase units at An Lochán, amongst other schemes.

"The level of housing activity in County Laois has been very effective in delivering in all areas and would not happen without collaboration with partners such as the AHB’s, development companies and our main funding body, the Department of Housing. I would like to thank Minister O’Brien and his team for the constant support in this delivery,” he said.