Laois County Council issues warning letters over alleged use of residential houses

Laois County Council has issued warning letters to the owners of two properties in Portarlington.

It’s understood the letters related to the alleged use of residential properties as temporary accommodation. 

The Leinster Express was led to believe that the properties in Crann Nua, The Glen, along with properties at St Joseph’s Terrace are linked to one of the owners of the East End Hotel, Mr Noel Martin. 

However, when contacted and asked about the properties Mr Martin said “I don’t talk to newspapers” and hung up the phone.   

Independent Cllr Aidan Mullins said he had received confirmation from the council over the action.  

He said Laois County Council had also written to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth “regarding the ongoing use of the two properties in The Glen and Crann Nua estates and possible links to the East End Hotel.”

According to Cllr Mullins, on October 8 and 9 registered letters were sent by the council to the property owners, landlords, operators notifying obligations under the Housing Acts Regulations regarding rented properties.” 

On the same date, he said a notification was sent to the investigations section of the Residential Tenancies Board regarding both properties. Then on October 30, warning letters were issued for both properties under the Planning and Development Acts and on October 31, Laois  County Council sought from the Residential Tenancies Board.

A company which previously had a contract with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to house IPAS(International Protection Accommodation Services) applicants at the East End Hotel in Portarlington. The contract was ended by the Department last month. 

A Department spokesperson said “all international protection applicants who were accommodated by IPAS at the East End Hotel have been made an offer of accommodation at an alternative IPAS location.”

When asked if the properties at The Glen, Crann Nua and St Joseph’s Terrace in Portarlington were registered to provide IPAS accommodation, the spokesperson confirmed that “IPAS does not have a contract at these properties to accommodate people seeking international protection.”

The Leinster Express asked whether the old operator could secure a new IPAS contract through a new company. 

“In relation to any new offer of accommodation from a provider, the Department can consider offers of accommodation from a tax-compliant company, subject to compliance with statutory requirements and minimum standards. The Department carries out due diligence on accommodation being contracted including checks via the Companies Registration Office to ensure compliance with Companies Registration Office (CRO) requirements and tax compliance checks by way of a valid Tax Clearance Certificate. Where the Department enters into a contract with an accommodation provider, all statutory requirements relating to the establishment and management of accommodation are met by the service provider, including health and safety, fire, building regulations and other requirements,” the spokesperson stated.