Compulsory purchase of vacant Laois homes 'making some headway'

Laois County Council is "making some headway" in forcibly buying up vacant and derelict properties in the county, according to a councillor.

The council initiated Compulsory Purchase Orders on six different Laois properties during 2025, which means they can forcibly buy them from their absent owners at market value.

They are at 55 Broomville, Portlaoise, Cooltederry, Portarlington, 81 Laurel Drive, Portlaoise, Church Street, Rathdowney,  Acragar in Mountmellick and another at The Square, Rathdowney.

The Broomville house (pictured) was placed on the Laois Derelict Sites Register in 2024. See full list here.

An unsecured front window at 55 Broomville, Portlaoise. Photos: Leinster Express / Laois Live

Cllr John King who is from Rathdowney praised the progress, speaking at the December council meeting.

"On the CPO programme and dereliction I want to see that moving stronger in 2026. We are making some headway. I see again with dereliction problems that we have (in Rathdowney), signs were put up on a building, they were making a small effort, I won't say a big effort. We have to continue keep our foot to the pedal. Dereliction brings down any town or village," he said.

A smashed window at 55 Broomville, Portlaoise. 

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There are 779 vacant homes in Laois, with 50 of those being derelict, according to surveys by the council's Vacant Homes Team. They have targeted 101 properties in their 'activation program' to force action on owners.

The Laois County Council CEO Michael Rainey is promising "much higher" numbers of CPOs on homes to come.