Laois housing target not high enough say councillors

Laois County Council has easily exceeded its target to supply more social housing, but councillors say that target was set too low.

The Laois local authority was given a national Housing For All target back in 2022 to build a total of 534 new social residential properties by 2026. That includes houses built by Approved Housing Bodies, like Clúid.

Less than halfway through 2025, and they have shot past that target, Laois County Council CEO Michael Rainey confirmed at the May council meeting.

"To date we have delivered 669 homes. So already far in excess of our target set by Government.

"We have another 387 social houses under construction in 2025. That is a significant number for any county to show. So again this county is exceeding the Government targets.

"Looking at Affordable Housing, we have a target of 38 units by the end of 2026 and we have already completed sales of 34 units with a further 25 coming through. There is a positive and ambitious attitude of this council across all the housing numbers.  At the end of the day, this comes down to putting a roof over people's heads. 21 secured houses in April, that's a great number. I congratulate everybody involved," Mr Rainey said.

He wasn't allowed too much congratulations however.

"It's great to be over it, but the target should be higher," said Cllr James Kelly. 

"I agree, we are well above our targets but they're far too low," said Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley. She asks when the council will build any four bedroom social homes, and also asks if any new programmes will come offering Affordable Homes.

"Those people earning above €35,000 we don't seem to have anything. For people whose relationships end or a young couple above the income limits, they can't get a home," she said.

Cllr Aisling Moran also wants a higher target to aim for.

"We are one of the best in the country, but like James said, the targets are not high enough, but we are doing brilliant," she said.

There are indeed higher targets on the way, confirmed Director of Services Angela McEvoy.

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"A revision has been approved by the Government and we are just awaiting confirmation on that. Our activity over the past few years has been to progress that, and we await the targets to be set. Either way we're looking to prepare for growth. We just have to ensure that we align with the figures.

"Obviously it has to be in appropriate locations where services exist," Ms McEvoy added.

The Government is amending the National Planning Framework to increase its housing target to 50,500 per year to meet the population growth shown in the 2022 Census.