A local Cllr has called for Laois County Council be given an update as to when the six vacant houses in Knockmay will be refurbished and tenanted.
Speaking at the Portlaoise Municipal District meeting this week, Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said she was “concerned about the length of time it’s taking for our housing stocks to be re-let.”
Of the six properties outlined by the Sinn Féin Cllr, five are owned by the County Council.
The sixth house in privately owned but has been left derelict, with Clrr stanley saying this has led to the property being vandalised, saying “there are a lot of problems in the area because of this property.
“We have a responsibility as a local authority because it is a vacant, derelict property, in a Council estate.”
The motion was strongly supported by Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, who said the situation is totally unfair on the neighbours in the estate.
Cllr John Joe Fennelly also said that delays have been worsening and the issues will need to be resolved with the developers.
In response, Ms Georgina Ireland, SEO for Housing said:
“Laois County Council is currently dealing with 5 vacant social housing stock in the Knockmay area and is not aware of any other local authority owned unit currently vacant.
“Two properties are the subject of energy retrofit works in addition to relet work and will be completed for tenanting in Q1 2024.
“Two properties are almost ready to be relet and will be tenanted in the coming weeks. One property was recently surrendered and assessed relet works issued for pricing.
“There is a considerable amount of works to be done and this will be ready for letting by end of Q1 2024.”
