There is serious pressure in cemetery spaces in Laois as more people are being buried in the county due to a fall in the numbers of people emigrating, according to Laois county council.
Plans are now being drawn up for more burial plots in the 27 cemeteries under the care of the local authority.
“Emigration has dropped, we need an increasing number of grave places and we have to plan for that,” said Director of Services Donal Brennan at the April council meeting.
Each cemetery will be reviewed under categories including its locationm entrance and exit points, health and safety, the demand for plots and remaining space.
The report is expected to be finished by August.
Jump in population numbers
The population of Laois has jumped from 59,000 in 2002 to almost 85,000 in 2016. By 2023, that number is expected to reach 90,000.
The population has also grown rapidly due to Laois becoming part of the Dublin commuter belt in recent years.
There are now 208 known burial sites in Laois. A survey was done on the sites for Laois Heritage Forum in 2011, which you can view here.
SEE ALSO – Voting underway as Nursing Home residents cast their vote in Referendum
