'When Fleming prioritises something, he delivers on it' claims Laois Fianna Fáil Minister

Laois Offaly TD and Minister Seán Fleming claims he and Fianna Fáil in Government are delivering on building new homes in Laois.

While the Sinn Féin TD insists a shortage of affordable homes is making the "crisis worse", Minister Fleming outlined a range of figures as evidence to back up his claims that problems are being addressed.

• 1,871 new homes have been built in Laois, since Fianna Fáil entered into Government in 2020.
• 1,312 people in Laois availed of the Revenue Help-to-Buy Scheme since 2020.
• 826 new homes commenced building in 2023 in the County.
• 243 vacant homes have been brought back into use in Laois.
• 938 new social homes have been delivered in Laois since 2020.
• 4,034 people who are renting in Laois received their €500 Rent Tax Credit.
• Across the County, hundreds of new private, social and affordable homes are being built for people and families. In towns, villages and all across Laois, there are new homes under construction.

The Laois-based TD said his Fianna Fáil colleague and Minister for Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien has introduced new schemes to help people to live in or own their own home.

He said they include:

• First Home Scheme
• Cost Rental Scheme
• Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
• Local Authority Home Loan
• Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme
• Serviced Sites for sale by Laois County Council.

Minister Fleming highlighted what he claims is the part he is playing in tackling the housing shortage in Laois.

"It is a priority for me to deliver even more houses in Laois for people and families who want to live in their own home or avail of social housing. When Fleming prioritises something, he delivers on it," he said.

He made the statement is a week where Sinn Féin's Laois Offaly TD Brian Stanley said that house prices in Laois are "out of control thanks to bad Government policy and decision making."

Deputy Stanley added that the Government's "failure to deliver affordable homes is making the crisis worse"