WATCH: Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien turns the sod of building site at historic Portlaoise convent

Minister O'Brien visited the building historic site at Portlaoise Presentation convent in Portlaoise, where the development of 52 new social units is underway.

Turning the sod at the Portlaoise landmark, on Church Avenue, the Minister thanked developers Sophia Housing, saying that "all the way around the country we're seeing these collaborations happen, and what's important is this is not just delivering homes, but regenerating the area".

The Minister for Housing promised significant regeneration funding to Laois County Council.

Site plans indicated that the new construction of over 50 social units at the site of the former Portlaoise Presentation convent would keep the original structure intact. The three-storey over basement convent, built in 1824 to accompany a 460-year-old tower, has sat disused for over two decades.

Sister Francis Crowe, a former resident of the convent, said the construction "couldn't come at a better time".

"We're 25 years trying to offer this site for social housing, and for all the obstacles and difficulties that we encountered we're only getting there now. But maybe it was never a better time."

Sister Crowe said that the "old Sisters" who taught at the site had "prayed for this to come to fruition, and today it is."

"We're really very happy about that. We're very proud of it, and very happy to be able to make a contribution into the future when we'll be gone. That contribution will still be there and many families will have homes here."

Tony O'Riordan, CEO of Sophia said the new development would include much more than social homes. "It's going to be a park, it's going to provide new social areas for the community, there will be a way to walk down to the trail river. So it's a whole public space, as well as the location of 52 homes on a site that was derelict.

"A lot of work together to this place, the Portage parish presentation systems and each county council have made it happen with the support of the Department of Housing."