Freezing Laois homes not included in retrofit scheme

FREEZING council maisonettes in Abbeyleix are not included in this year’s housing retrofit programme, despite an appeal by a local councillor.

Residents of five old maisonettes on the town’s Rathmoyle Road will have to wait until the next retrofitting scheme from 2027-2030, a council meeting was told.

News that Rathmoyle has been left out in the cold was greeted with dismay by Cllr John Joe Fennelly, who said: “One resident said that, no matter what kind of fire he puts on, he is still freezing. That’s not acceptable in this day and age.” 

At the latest meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, Cllr Fennelly asked the council to include the Abbeyleix maisonettes in the housing retrofit programme, which is ongoing across the county.

He said: “They are very old maisonettes. There is just a small stove in the houses. In this day and age, it’s just not good enough.” 

An official from the council’s housing section said the Rathmoyle Road address has not been included in the 2026 retrofitting programme.

The official added: ‘The housing department are currently preparing the draft retrofitting programme of works for 2027 to 2030 and this address can be considered for this programme.’ 

Cllr Fennelly stressed that the houses should be retrofitted as soon as possible, given their age and very poor insulation.

He was supported by Cllr Barry Walsh from Ballyroan, who observed: “Attic insulation can be very effective and it’s easy to do, so maybe that could be done just for starters.”