Concerns have been raised about the number of children spending the Christmas period in emergency accommodation across Waterford.

The issue was highlighted by Catherine Burke, who addressed the matter at the latest plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council.

Speaking during the meeting, the Sinn Féin councillor said that regardless of the exact figures involved, any number of children in emergency accommodation is too many.

Councillor Burke stressed that emergency accommodation for homeless families cannot be viewed as a long-term solution. She raised concerns around both the availability of suitable housing and the level of funding required to properly support vulnerable families.

The councillor also called on the local authority to actively pursue additional funding for housing projects and essential family support services, stating that sustained investment is needed to address the root causes of family homelessness.

The matter was discussed as part of broader housing and social support issues at the council’s most recent plenary session.

For the latest Waterford News and Sport, tune into WLR News on the hour and download the WLR App for news on demand.