'People are getting desperate' - Laois struggling to get housing loans and grants

Laois County Council have heard that "the rules are not working" regarding loans and grants for homes as the approval rates for this year have been very low. 

Raising the issue at the November meeting of Laois County Council, Cllr Ollie Clooney said "loans and grants are a concern to me." 

Cllr Clooney told the council: "There was 32 applications in 2025, there's only 6 approved and there was 7 refused. Now, that doesn't make great reading."

The Borris in Ossory/Mountmellick councillor emphasised that as we are in a housing crisis, "people should be encouraged" rather than having "barriers against them for getting these loans." He added: "It has to be made easier."

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Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley supported Cllr Clooney's point, stating that those on an income above €35,000 and not eligible for social housing are "really getting desperate." She said the situation is exacerbated with loans not being approved, cost-rental schemes slow to come, and no update on how the delivery of affordable houses is progressing.

Related to this, Cllr Aisling Moran brought up an issue with people not getting grant approval for installing accessible bathrooms. She urged "we have to make it easier for people" as people with mobility issues waiting on bathrooms are "desperately in need of grants." 

Director of Services for Housing at Laois County Council, Donal Brennan said that staff act as "compassionately as possible" when it comes to loans and grants, however they are bound to guidelines which are set nationally.

Laois County Council's Chief Executive, Michael Rainey, agreed that staff have to operate within these guidelines. However, he said they would engage with the relevant civil servants on the matter.

Cllr Dwane Stanley cautioned that a balance needs to be struck on this, considering the events of the Celtic Tiger. With that being said, she told the council we can't make it impossible for people to get loans.

Cllr Clooney agreed that a middle ground needs to be established. He concluded that the current rules and regulations are not working and yet amid a housing crisis there is "red tape" for people trying to buy a house.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme