Nearly a year to wait for disability parking space in Laois
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A disability parking space for a busy Laois public carpark could take nearly a year to be installed.
The parking space in Portlaoise was promised by Laois County Council in late 2025, but not be installed until possibly September 2026.
The disability parking space is to be placed near the eastern entrance to Lyster Square, to serve customers of the People First Credit Union, two medical practices and other businesses there.
Cllr Marie Tuohy had first tabled a motion with the request to the Portlaoise Municipal District in November 2025.
She was told it would be installed in early 2026. She had noted then that the People First Credit Union was “a long way” from the nearest disabled parking spot, but was used daily by people with disabilities.
This May 2026 she again tabled a motion to the district meeting, asking for an update.
“This is a question of accessibility, safety and equality,” Cllr Tuohy said, while thanking the council for giving the update.
The officials now say that they intend to do works to install the parking space in ‘quarter three’ meaning the period betweenJuly and September.
“That’s great thanks, there is a lot of footfall between the credit unions, two medical centres and other businesses,” she said.
Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald seconded the motion, agreeing with Cllr Tuohy that the footfall there warrants the disabled space.
“We need more down that end of town,” she said.
Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley described the carpark as “absolutely crazy at times”.