Housing Minister meets residents of new age-friendly Portlaoise social housing scheme

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, met some of the new residents of the Clann Housing scheme at The Maltings, Portlaoise, when he visited to officially open the 40 new homes in the town.

Minister O’Brien, along with the Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Cllr Thomasina Connell, and Chief Executive of Laois County Council, John Mulholland, also met with residents of new social homes, owned and managed by Clúid Housing, at nearby Roselawn. These three-bedroom homes completed a pre-existing estate, adding an additional 15 much-needed homes to the area.

The Maltings, a three-story block composed of 40 two-bed apartments, is managed by Clann, Clúid’s age-friendly offering, for residents aged 55 and older. All the apartments were designed and developed using the principles of Universal Design, to ensure their new residents can age in place and enjoy their homes for many years to come. The scheme also benefits from a common room which, in the coming months and years, will host activities such as parties and bingo, as well as visits from local support services.

The development is named in recognition of the former use of the site, which provided malt to the Guinness and Smithwicks breweries, among others. When complete, the development will include four additional apartment blocks and a nursing home.

The scheme is now fully occupied, with residents allocated from Laois County Council’s housing list. The residents are beginning to settle into their new forever homes.

Mary Lennon, resident of The Maltings, said: “We are so grateful to have our forever home. The attention and detail that has gone into the apartments is second to none, the best of everything has gone into these apartments. Everything has been planned out meticulously, right down to the personal alarm system Clann has provided in each apartment. We feel part of a community and are looking forward to the next chapter in our forever home.”

Both schemes benefited from support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Finance Agency, the Housing Agency and Laois County Council.