'Concern' as just six Laois council mortgages approved in 2025

Only six lower cost mortgages have been approved by Laois County Council by nearly the end of 2025, out of 32 applications from wishful home buyers.

The council is handling the Local Authority Home Loan (LAHL) by the Department of Housing, but the conditions are too tough, two Laois councillors believe.

Cllr Ollie Clooney, of the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District raised his alarm about the low level of successful applicants, speaking at the November council meeting.

"It is a concern to me. There were 32 applications made in 2025. Only six are approved and seven were refused. That doesn't make for great reading, in a housing crisis.

"I was on a credit union committee for over 30 years. I know the department is setting these guidelines, but in a lot of cases people aren't achieving them. People shouldn't be putting up barriers. 95% of people are decent and will pay you back. I'd like to see the loans made easier to achieve," he said.

The loans are for people who cannot get a mortgage elsewhere. Conditions include proof of two rejected mortgage offers from Irish financial institutions. The applicant must be working in the same job for two years. The maximum market price for a house they want to buy in Laois is €275,000 and it must be habitable. They cannot borrow more than €247,500.

They must also have a 10% deposit, and they must have about two thirds of their income left over after monthly repayments. They also must earn under €70k for an individual or €85,000 for couples.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley from Portlaoise Municipal District is also concerned.

"People are really getting desperate. Doors are closing for them. Cost Rental schemes seem slow to come on too. On Affordable schemes I don't know where we are. Is the Rath Rua scheme open, who do they apply to? When is the Affordable scheme opening in Portlaoise Municipal District?" she asked.

"We are getting more and more people with notices to quit, who are not on the housing list. You're telling them nothing can be done," she said.

Read next: Good wishes for Laois councillor launching solicitors business

The council's November update on housing states that there are 84 new houses being considered under the Affordable or Cost Rental Home schemes, with 42 on Tyrrell's Land Portlaoise, 32 in Rath Rua and ten in Portarlington.