Plans ‘moving along’ for domestic abuse refuge in Laois

The shelter is planned to be built in Portlaoise

Published 29th Sep 2026, 17:30 BST File photo: Pixabay. The shelter is planned to be built in Portlaoise Plans are “moving along” with the construction of a new domestic abuse refuge in Laois.

The shelter will be built in Portlaoise behind a heritage house that was bought by Laois County Council €1.75m.

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In August, it was announced that the number of units in the refuge would be increased from eight to ten.

Laois County Council have now said that Cuan, the agency responsible for the construction of the refuge, have prepared a draft design for the ten units.

A preplanning meeting is scheduled for this week between Laois County Council, Cuan and Tuath housing agency.

Cuan and Tuath are working in partnership on the project, as well as Laois Domestic Abuse Service who will eventually move their offices into the new space.

The Council noted that a knotweed survey is currently ongoing at the site.

Hedge in Portlaoise Celtic Tiger estate 'destroyed' Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley queried the progress of the project at the September meeting of Laois County Council and asked when the project would be ready to apply for planning permission.

Laois County Council said that a planning application will hopefully be made soon after the preplanning meeting this week. They assured that stakeholders are meeting every month on the matter.

The Portlaoise Councillor welcomed the news, saying: “So we are moving along. It’s badly needed as we all know.”

In November last year, the project was put on pause when Sofia Housing Association was rejected as a project partner with Laois Domestic Abuse Service.