HSE asked to hand over vacant Laois health centres for accessible housing

Laois County Council is to ask the Health Service Executive (HSE) to consider selling or handing over their unused health dispensaries in the Portlaoise district, for conversion into social homes.

One such dispensary building was recently offered for sale by public auction in Ballinakill, with a guide price of €115,000.

Fine Gael Cllr Barry Walsh, the current Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, tabled a motion to the April meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District with his suggestion.

It asks the council to contact the HSE about unused clinics in the area, with a view to either buying them, or to put them to use by communities.

"There are a lot of these in our district lying idle. They are single storey buildings, they are ideal for conversion into homes for people with disabled access needs. There is a huge shortage of properties for that.

"One in Ballinakill went for public auction, we should look at this more. Maybe the HSE were testing the water, we should write to them. It's a shame to see these lying idle when they could be used," Cllr Walsh said.

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He said he had tabled a similar motion several years ago. 

Cllr Paddy Buggy seconded the motion. In reply, the council said a letter will be sent to the HSE.