There has been an increase in people looking for social housing support from Waterford City and County Council.
Councillor Conor McGuiness discussed the topic at this month's plenary council meeting.
"In the housing reports we see in March last year of 2022 there [were] 31 applications received for social housing supports," he said to the chamber, "In the same period this year we have 184 applications.
"That's a huge increase in people applying for social housing supports [and my question is] do we have sufficient staff in the housing section to handle that huge upturn in people seeking social housing supports?".
Councillor McGuinness says over 100 notices to quit have been served in the county since lifting the eviction ban in March, however, the local authority says there has been no increase in the numbers presenting to their homeless services.
In response to McGuinness, Ivan Grimes, Director of Services with Housing in Waterford City and County Council says the increase is due [to] a review of income levels.
"In relation to the increase in housing applications," he said in response to McGuinness", the increase has been driven because there are more people eligible [as the] income limits have been increased.
"In terms of staffing, it is always a challenge to [ensure] we have the right levels in housing.
"I am satisfied the applications team [is] adequately staffed at the moment, but we will keep an ongoing review."
