A Waterford councillor has criticised the ease at which housing is being allocated for refugee accommodation while locals remain on the housing list for lengthy periods.
Independent Councillor Seamus O'Donnell says he will raise the issue at the next meeting of the Dungarvan and Lismore District.
Housing shortages are being felt particularly in West Waterford, where demand far outweighs supply.
Cllr. O'Donnell says that some people have been on the Council's housing list for at least 9 years.
"There's over 680 people on the housing list in the Dungarvan area", Cllr. O'Donnell told WLR News. "I'm disappointed because of it - over the last 8 or 9 years, I'm fighting to see can we get some people that are on the list with years, to see can we get a house for them. I'm disappointed also that the refugees can come in and run the whole show and get houses within 2 or 3 days. They can be housed in hotels, flats and everything around the country - that is one of my biggest problems really."
Councillor O'Donnell will bring a motion before Waterford City and County Council regarding emergency accommodation next month.
He says that there must be better communication and people must be notified of any properties that will be used to accommodate refugees well in advance.
He believes that the current situation has exacerbated the housing crisis in West Waterford.
"I don't think it will come to an end - provided that we have a government that's shoving refugees in everywhere and taking over hotels and houses - anywhere that you can name it. I'm going to put it to the Council at the next meeting of the Dungarvan and Lismore area, that we'll put it to a vote where we'll have to be notified if there's refugees coming into this county from now on. We're not going to sit down and start looking at refugees put into houses before our own people that were born and reared in this country."
The Independent representative took aim at the speed at which those arriving for international protection have been accommodated. He says it's impossible to get a house in West Waterford.
"I know a lot of women and children that can't get a house. It's impossible to get a house because they're not there actually. I would prefer to see houses being built in parts of rural County Waterford - especially for people that want to live in their own parishes, whether it's Dungarvan, Ardmore, Rinn or Kilrossanty. They should all be built in their locality.
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