€3 million investment for social housing in Laois
A €3 million investment into Social Housing in Laois has been announced as part of a €436 million fund aimed at addressing urgent housing needs across the country.
“The challenges are real, and the demand is urgent, and Fine Gael is committed to delivering real and practical solutions to increase housing supply,” Laois Fine Gael TD Willie Aird said.
“The funding announced today for County Laois, is a vital part of our ongoing efforts to address housing shortages across the country.
“The delivery of new homes in Laois will be facilitated by the €3 million investment and will help to ensure that local communities have the necessary resources to address housing needs.
“Alongside new builds, we are also prioritising the acquisition of second-hand homes, enabling local authorities like Laois County Council to quickly bring additional homes into the social housing stock.
“This strategy is about acting swiftly to address immediate housing needs in Laois and for the people of Laois.
“This funding will also support initiatives that help prevent homelessness, and will focus on tenant-in-situ acquisition.
“It will support the most vulnerable, including older people, those with disabilities, and those transitioning from homelessness services.”
Laois students urged to apply for increased grants
Students in Laois are being apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) following the opening for applications for the 2025/26 academic year.
Deputy Willie Aird said the increase in the thresholds for grants means more students will now be eligible for grant support.
“The increase in student maintenance grants are a step forward for students and families in Laois and across the country,” Deputy Aird said.
Key measures include:
- Increased Eligibility: More families now qualify with the income limit raised to €115,000.
- Higher Grant Amounts: The special rate of grant has increased from €26,200 to €27,400.
- Increased Income Deductions: The income deduction has risen to €8,424, meaning students can now earn more during the holidays without it affecting their grant.
- Expanded Eligibility: The scheme has been broadened to include previously excluded students.
Over €30,000 announced for community projects in Laois
Over €30,000 has been awarded for various community projects in Laois under the Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme
€30,532 has been approved for conservation works in peatland areas of Abbeyleix Bog, as well as for the Book n Bogs Project.
Abbeyleix Bog Project, which is celebrating 25 years of active local involvement, has received funding of €19,200.
The Book ‘n’ Bogs Project which is an ongoing partnership between RE-PEAT and libraries in Laois has received funding of €11,332.
“This scheme is an example of how we will solve the biodiversity crisis in Ireland by fostering strong partnerships, empowering local initiatives and putting communities at the heart of nature conservation,” Laois Fianna Fáil TD Sean Fleming said.
“The communities involved are to be praised for the vital role that they play in conserving nature and heritage in Abbeyleix bog.
“This funding will provide surveys to be conducted which in turn will inform management plans for Natura 2000 and peatlands sites and the production of information booklets, brochures and training manuals, awareness and education events and education programmes etc.”
Laois TD tells Health Minister and Taoiseach to deliver on Hormone Replacement Therapy
Local Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley has told the Taoiseach Michael Martin and Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll McNeill that they “must deliver on their pre-Election promise of providing free Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for women going through menopause.”
Speaking in Dáil Éireann this week, Deputy Stanley said: “We are told that pharmacies and the State are in deadlock over the provision of HRT.
“Women still have to pay for HRT despite the commitment given by the Government last October.”
In response, Minister Carroll MacNeill said: “The commitment in the budget last year was to provide for HRT medication to be free. That has been available to be implemented since January.
The Minister conceded that there “had not been enough dialogue with pharmacists,” saying she met the Irish Pharmacy Union in February and again last week “in order to try to resolve the issues” relating to the scheme.
“Women are paying in or around €45 to €50 for HRT at the moment. We need to reduce that, Minister Carroll MacNeill said.
“There was no provision in the budget last year to pay the dispensing fee, as would often be the case with other schemes. Women on the drugs payment scheme will obviously be covered if they are paying more than €80.
“Those on medical cards are also covered. We want the cost of the medication to be eliminated and just the dispensing fee to be left.
“The matter is still under negotiation with pharmacists more broadly to make sure it is workable for them.
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