Eighty-two children were homeless in Waterford the week before Christmas
Homeless child- stock image
Eighty-two children were in emergency accommodation on Christmas week.
That is according to the Waterford City and County Council January Management Report, which recorded the figures for December 22, 2024.
City South Councillor Séamus Ryan raised concerns about the high figure at this week’s Waterford City and County Council plenary meeting held in Dungarvan.
The figure reported by the council is almost double the previous year’s figure of 43.
Cllr Ryan said the problem appeared to be getting worse and asked what extra measures are being put in place to tackle the problem.
“Surely 82 children homeless-that must be a priority. So, I’m asking what we can do there,” said Cllr Ryan.
However, the Director of Services for Housing, Community and Emergency Services, Helena Dennehy, said she didn’t know where the figure came from, but said she would look into it.
“I’m not sure where that figure of 82 is coming from, but the data I would have is approximately 100 users at present in our services and that data would include 27 family household types," said Ms Dennehy.
"But I’m not sure where that figure of 82 is coming from," she added.
The management reports for December, November and October 2024 recorded 78, 74 and 81 children in emergency accommodation, respectively.
According to this month’s management report, 47 families were in emergency accommodation on December 22.
Seventy-two single adults were in emergency accommodation, and 79 adults were in families.
In total, the report showed 233 people were in emergency accommodation in Waterford on or as of December 22, 2024.
At the same sitting, City East Cllr Adam Wyse raised concerns about a policy that means people in emergency accommodation must leave the building between 9am and 9pm.
He asked if there was a reason for the policy and if they could examine the cost of changing the policy between November and March.
Ms Dennehy responded by saying the council managed nine out-of-hours beds and six cold-weather beds, with four extra over the previous few days.
She said capacity was filled every night except for the night before the meeting, where three were empty.
“In relation to daytime hours, I understand they are what are designated out-of-hours-beds, but in this cold weather event, if they could stay, that would be facilitated as well," said Ms Dennehy
Ms Dennehy said they would look into the issue raised of changing he policy for certain months.
Cllr John Hearne thanked the department for how they have looked after the city’s homeless.
“They dealt with them in a very efficient and dignified way and it's great to see them get beds,” said Cllr Hearne.
