Old council houses to get €276,000 worth of insulation by winter

Phase two of Laois County Council’s retrofitted insulation of 46 old council houses is to be started and finished by winter, at a cost of €6,000 a house.

The more straightforward Phase one scheme involved filling cavity walls in more recently built houses and insulating their attics.

There were 1,365 units made cosier, at a total cost of €1.3 million, or under €1,000 per house.

That work has been fully completed recently.

Next up are older houses, with solid or hollow block wall construction, which must get external cladding, but at a much higher cost.

The homes are in towns around Laois.

In Portlaoise they are at O’Moore Place, St John’s Square and on the Timahoe Road.

In Portarlington on Bracklone Street, and in Mountmellick in St Joseph’s Terrace, Connolly Street, Davin Park and New Row.

Houses will also be insulated in O’Daly Terrace Rathdowney and Rathmoyle, Abbeyleix.

The Director of Services for housing Gerry Murphy confirmed details to the Leinster Express.

“The estimated cost of external insulation to 46 dwellings is €276,000, fully funded by the Department. This work will be tendered out. Attic insulation will be provided if necessary,” he said.