31 new social houses will be available at Church Avenue, Stradbally, by early in the New Year.
So says Fianna Fail TD Sean Fleming and Councillor Paschal McEvoy following government intervention.
The overall site in Stradbally, located near St Colman’s School, has planning permission for 72 houses.
Laois County Council have been in discussion with the developer to purchase 31 of these for social housing.
In recent times, because of the increasing costs associated with building, an agreement had not being reached in relation to the purchase of these houses.
However, in a joint statement, Fleming and McEvoy have announced that after their direct personal intervention on this matter with Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien, the go ahead has been given by the Department to Laois County Council to finalise the purchase arrangements of these houses.
The politicians said: “Laois County Council have been in direct contact with the contractor and everything is in place for the 31 social houses to be available for people on the Laois social housing list early in the New Year.
“Separately there is planning permission for the remaining houses on site which are available for sale for people who want to buy their own homes directly.
“There is also an opportunity for Laois County Council to become involved in some of these houses by way of purchasing them under the Affordable Housing Scheme approved by the Government.
“This will facilitate people who wish to buy one of these houses with additional support directly from the Government.
“Overall it is a good day for people who are seeking houses in Co. Laois and for people who wish to live in the Stradbally area for the years to come.”
