Laois business centre repairs not paid by taxpayer - council CEO

Repairs to a newly purchased office building in Laois were not paid out of the public purse, the Laois County Council CEO has stated.

The CUBE glass fronted office opened in mid 2023 on Tower Hill in Portlaoiseas a low carbon business centre of excellence for the Midlands.

Bought with public funding as a turnkey finished development for some €2.5m, its office spaces are already tenanted, with training also offered to help businesses learn how to reduce their environmental impact. The centre is run by an associated company of Laois County Council, Portlaoise Innovation Centre DAC company.

However windows have already had to be replaced and the roof repaired, with queries made last month at the council meeting by independent Cllr Aisling Moran as to who footed the bill.

The council CEO John Mulholland addressed the issue, speaking at the November meeting of Laois County Council.

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"The CUBE is managed by the board of the CUBE. In turnkeys there is a defects period, the same as in housing. The builder or vendor is obliged to attend to any repairs. The cost will be covered by the vendors," he said. 

The office block had lain as an unfinished celtic tiger era landmark for years. The project to complete and reopen it achieved several aims; to resolve a vacant building in Portlaoise town centre, to provide local employment and to help businesses reach for green targets.