Sewage backup feared in Laois housing estate

The return of backed up sewage is feared by residents of Laois homes owned by a national housing body.

The Slí na nÓr estate in Abbeyleix was built by the Respond housing agency in recent years, but outstanding works have not been finished to allow it to be taken in charge by Laois County Council.

It is three years since Respond said it intended to apply for the estate to be taken in charge, in 2020.

Residents are concerned of a repeat of a nasty back-up of sewage waste which happened last year, according to Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley.

She is urging the council to take on the estate.

"There was a serious issue last year with sewage. I put a notice in then to have it taken in charge to help address these issues. Residents are worried if a similar problem where do we go with Irish Water gone. They are concerned it will happen again, particularly in the area not taken in charge," she said.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly agreed and with Cllr Willie Aird said he can't get any contact with Respond.

"We can't help the residents at these times because we can't make contact with the Respond liaison officer," he said.

Cllr Willie Aird urged the council to contact Respond.

"All these people living there came off our housing waiting list. They shouldn't be treated differently. I depend on the housing staff of Laois County Council to deal with Respond because I can't deal with them directly. These people should get the same respece. It comes across that Respond don't want the infrastructure of their houses touched," he said.

The Director of Services Simon Walton said Respond is responsible for any sewage issues, until the council has taken Slí na nÓr in charge.

"When it is taken in charge, we will deal directly with Irish Water," he said.

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The council gave this reponse to the motion.

"A list of works was given to Respond and we are liaising with them regarding completion of same. Once works are complete the statutory process for taking in charge will commence".

Last week, Respond told to the Leinster Express / Laois Live that it would be contacting Laois councillors to ensure they had the right contact details of their local staff.

It followed a separate motion tabled by Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley where she said she could not get a reply from Respond regarding a tenant's long wait for a wetroom.