Insurance payout awaited on burnt out Laois council homes

The long wait to knock and rebuild two burnt council homes in Laois has been criticised by a local councillor. 

It is a year since numbers 13 and 14 Lakeglen in Portlaoise were destroyed by a fire.

They are still standing in derelict boarded up ruins in the estate, an "eyesore" to residents and passers by, says Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley.

She asked what is the update on a plan to knock and rebuild them, in a motion to the April meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.

That plan is estimated to cost in the region of €700,000, with the new houses to be built at a high standard with disability access.

"This is an appalling eyesore. There is a small residents association and they are absolutely bereft with what they are looking at daily. Anybody walking by on the main road can see the roof like it's about to collapse," she said.

Laois County Council replied that the rebuilding of the houses is awaiting the finalisation of an insurance fire claim.

Once that has been reached, expected before the end of June, then the Department of Housing will fund the balance.

"Phase 1, demolition works, can begin immediately. Once complte, rebuilding works can then commence," the area engineer Trevor Hennessy reported.

Cllr Dwane Stanley gave detail of what she understands is a delay on the insurance side.

"The insurance company hasn't given details of how much it will fund the two houses. Because of that the council can't pass it to the department to seek the shortfall. I've asked for demolition of one or both, and to clear the site, similar to what happened in O'Moore Place where you knocked four houses for work to begin later.

"Someone needs to knock heads here. It's not fair to residents one year later with nothing done," she said.

"It is my understanding that the insurance company's view is that one house could be salvaged, but the council's view is it should be knocked. This could go on forever and we need these houses," she said.

Director of Services Simon Walton agreed with the "unsightliness", clarifying that the insurance company is Irish Public Bodies, which insures all local authorities.

"I appreciate that you have tabled a number of motions on this. I note that it is unsatisfactory particularly for the residents group, the unsightliness is in front of them at every juncture. I will talk to Trevor and Angela [housing engineer Trevor Hennessy and Director of Services Angela McEvoy] and I will email you," he said.

Cllr Barry Walsh seconded her motion.

"Surely there should be a maximum response time to insurance claims," he said.

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Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald supports the call for action.

"If it had been a private houses, what would happen? Could a couple afford to wait 12 months and no clarity? Laois County Council should do everthing it possibly can," she said.