Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh O’Brien T.D. turns the sod with Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Paschal McEvoy and Chair of Housing SPC Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley with Minister Sean Fleming, Presentation Sisters and Sophia management at The Convent Site, Church Avenue, Portlaoise (Sophia).
Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, visited a number of new social and affordable housing schemes in Laois recently.
Accompanied by Laois County Councils Cathaoirleach, Paschal McEvoy and Chief Executive, John Mulholland, the Minister officially opened a number of Local Authority and Approved Housing Bodies, kicking off in the morning at The Meadows, Mountrath Road, Portlaoise.
This is just one of a number of social housing schemes constructed by Cluid Housing Association in Portlaoise, consisting of 48 houses and apartments 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, Chief Executive Officer Brian O’Gorman, welcomed the Minister, stating “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,” O’Gorman continued.
This brings the total number of social homes managed by Clúid in Laois to 626, and O’Gorman expressed his enthusiasm for continuing the partnership and building more homes in the future.
The scheme is located beside Portlaoise Train Station, and also features a public car park and EV vehicle charging points, funded by Laois County Council and the Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.
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.
The Minister also visited and 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, commemorated the joint effort, stating “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,” she continued. “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.”
“We remain committed to playing our part building homes throughout the country and providing services for families and individuals who are in need,” Randall concluded.
The Minister was also invited to initiate building on a long-awaited and very important town project at the Presentation Convent site on Church Avenue, Portlaoise.
The project, which is situated off Main Street, will be owned and managed by Sophia Housing Association and comprises 54 units, a mix of houses and apartments.
The scheme will see 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 people living in the town centre in Portlaoise.
The Minister expressed his satisfaction with this “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,” he continued, “it will also deliver public parkland, a plaza, community gardens and play areas which will breathe new life into this derelict site.”
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 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 commented “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.”
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.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh O’Brien T.D.; Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Paschal McEvoy and Chair of Housing SPC Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley at the opening of 44 homes at Harpers Crescent, Harpers Lane, Portlaoise (Respond AHB). Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.The opening of 44 homes at Harpers Crescent, Harpers Lane, Portlaoise (Respond AHB). Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh O’Brien T.D.; Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Paschal McEvoy; Cllr Padraig Fleming; Chair of Housing SPC Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley and Minister Sean Fleming TD with residents at the opening of 44 homes at Harpers Crescent, Harpers Lane, Portlaoise (Respond AHB). Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh O’Brien T.D.; Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Paschal McEvoy; Graiguecullen Portarlington Municipal District, Chairperson Cllr Ben Brennan; Minister Sean Fleming TD and Cllr Padraig Fleming with LCC management and residents at the opening of 20 houses in the first phase of 77 homes at Oakvale Meadows, Stradbally, Co. Laois. Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.Cllr Padraig Fleming, Minister Sean Fleming TD; John Mulholland, Chief Executive LCC; Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh O’Brien T.D. and Angela McEvoy, Director of Services LCC on a visit to 87 homes at Mount Stewart, Stradbally Road, Portlaoise. Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh O’Brien T.D.; Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Paschal McEvoy; Aidan McKane, LCC and Minister Sean Fleming TD with resident Tanya Colbert; Heidi O’Connor, Harper Moore and Molly McEvoy at the opening of 20 houses in the first phase of 77 homes at Oakvale Meadows, Stradbally, Co. Laois. Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.Mary McEvoy, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh O’Brien T.D.; Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Paschal McEvoy and Harper Moore with Paschal and Mary’s grandchildren Heidi O’Connor and Molly McEvoy at the opening of 20 houses in the first phase of 77 homes at Oakvale Meadows, Stradbally, Co. Laois. Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh O’Brien T.D. assists resident Esther Farrell with her garden at the opening of 67 homes at Goldencroft (beside train station) Portlaoise (Clúid AHB). Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh O’Brien T.D.; Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Paschal McEvoy; Brian O’Gorman, CEO Clúid; Esther Farrell, resident; Minister Sean Fleming TD and Chair of Housing SPC Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley at the opening of 67 homes at Goldencroft (beside train station) Portlaoise (Clúid AHB). Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh O’Brien T.D.; Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Paschal McEvoy and Chair of Housing SPC Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley with Minister Sean Fleming TD and Cllr Padraig Fleming at the opening of 67 homes at Goldencroft (beside train station) Portlaoise (Clúid AHB). Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh O’Brien T.D. with Presentation Sisters, Sr. Ann Pender, Sr Frances Crowe, Sr Concepta O’Brien, Sr Evelyn Byrne, Sr Muriel O’Toole and Sr Grace Redmond at The Convent Site, Church Avenue, Portlaoise (Sophia). Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh O’Brien T.D.; Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Paschal McEvoy and Chair of Housing SPC Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley with Minister Sean Fleming TD; Cllr Padraig Fleming, LCC staff and Clúid staff at the opening of 67 homes at Goldencroft (beside train station) Portlaoise (Clúid AHB). Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh O’Brien T.D.; Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Paschal McEvoy and Chair of Housing SPC Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley with Minister Sean Fleming; Presentation Sisters and Sophia management at The Convent Site, Church Avenue, Portlaoise (Sophia). Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Paschal McEvoy; LCC Chief Executive John Mulholland and Chair of Housing SPC Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley with Presentation Sisters Sr Frances Crowe, Sr Concepta O’Brien and Sr Grace Redmond at The Convent Site, Church Avenue, Portlaoise (Sophia). Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh O’Brien T.D. turns the sod with Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Paschal McEvoy and Chair of Housing SPC Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley with Minister Sean Fleming, Presentation Sisters and Sophia management at The Convent Site, Church Avenue, Portlaoise (Sophia). Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh O’Brien T.D.; Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Paschal McEvoy and Chair of Housing SPC Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley with Minister Sean Fleming, Cllr Marie Tuohy, Nobby O’Reilly, CEO; Joe O’Reilly, MD and Dan Ryan, Construction Director with Woodfort; John Mulholland Chief Executive LCC; Angela McEvoy, Director of Services LCC and Georgina Ireland, SEO LCC at the visit to 91 homes at An Lochan, Stradbally Road, Portlaoise. Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Mr Darragh O’Brien T.D cuts the tape with Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Paschal McEvoy and Chair of Housing SPC Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley; Minister Sean Fleming, Cllr Marie Tuohy, Nobby O’Reilly, CEO; Joe O’Reilly, MD and Dan Ryan, Construction Director with Woodfort at the visit to 91 homes at An Lochan, Stradbally Road, Portlaoise. Picture: Alf Harvey, no reproduction fee.
