Skyrocketing Laois house prices and increased demand highlighted by Laois Senator

A Laois Senator says families are being priced out of their communities as demand for housing grows with the population. 

Speaking at an  Oireachtas Housing Committee meeting, Sinn Féin Senator Maria McCormack called on national agencies to ensure that housing data and policy do not continue to overlook fast-growing counties like Laois, where local families are being priced out of their communities.

Sen McCormack welcomed the engagement of the Central Bank and ERSI with the committee. 

“My key concern is how we make sure that the ‘macro-level’ data we often hear about—usually focused on the major cities—translates into real action in rural towns and villages that are also in crisis.”

Sen McCormack highlighted that Laois has experienced explosive population growth.

“Laois is one of the fastest growing counties in Ireland. At the 2022 census, our population stood at 91,657—an increase of 56% since 2002. But the level of housing supply is nowhere near where it needs to be to keep up with that growth,” she said. 

Despite some construction progress, she pointed to the severe slowdown in housing starts so far this year. “This year, we’re facing some of the lowest levels of housing commencements in the country—just eight in February, nine in March, and 19 in April. That’s not good enough,” she said. 

Sen McCormack also raised concerns over skyrocketing house prices in Laois. 

“The most recent Daft report showed house prices in Laois have jumped a shocking 52% since before Covid. That’s completely unsustainable and is locking people out of home ownership,” said Sen McCormack. 

READ ALSO: Former Laois pub to be transformed into hostel

 She also warned that regional income disparities are compounding the problem. “There is a clear regional wage gap in this country. People in Laois earn significantly less on average than those in Dublin or other cities, yet they’re facing rapidly rising house prices. The current mortgage rules don’t take this into account, and it’s hurting working families in places like Portlaoise.”

In conclusion, she stressed the need for equity in housing policy.  “My question to the witnesses today was clear; how do we ensure that actions and strategies are truly reaching places like Portlaoise and our rural areas? Because the housing crisis is just as chronic in Laois as it is in Dublin or Cork, and families here deserve solutions too.”