Questions have been raised about the accuracy of the council's figures on rough sleepers.
The topic was raised at yesterday's plenary meeting in the context of the current cold snap.
Councillors were told that there are two people sleeping rough on the City's streets at the moment.
However, Councillor Stephanie Keating, who volunteers with The Helping Hand Waterford group, was one of the members to question that.
"Is it that there are two people sleeping rough who are entitled to access homeless services?" she asked.
Only those with a connection to Waterford are entitled to the services here.
Councillor Keating then said that in the last ten days, she gave three different people tents.
Ivan Grimes, Director of Housing with Waterford City and County Council responded by saying that during the severe weather conditions, everyone will be accommodated.
He then added that he is only aware of two, and that if people suspect there is more than that they can make that known to the council.
At present, the number of rough sleepers is based on the work of the local authority's Outreach Officer, The Gardaí and the HSE.
"If there are people sleeping in tents and we're not aware of them, we can't count them in figures," Ivan said.
Councillor Keating then made Ivan aware of two men in their 60's who The Helping Hand are paying for to be kept off the streets.
She said one does not feel comfortable to access hostel services due to his health and the other is waiting for a place in The Holy Ghost.
"We pay, as in the people of Waterford who donate to us, pay for those two gentlemen to be in out of the weather, so that is a failing on behalf of the council," Councillor Keating said.
Again, Ivan responded by urging anyone who knows of homeless people to make the council aware of them.
If you know of anyone sleeping rough who may need access to emergency accommodation, you can contact the council by phone on 0818 10 2020, or via their email [email protected].
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