A couple who are expecting their first child are camping outside the Waterford City Council housing office in an attempt to secure suitable accommodation.
Mr James O'Brien (40), and his expectant partner Mary Ann (39), have collected over 300 signatures from passers-by on Bailey's New Street in the city for a petition calling for the couple to be offered appropriate housing.
Waterford-born James and Mary Ann, who is originally from Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, moved back to Ireland from England last March. He found a bedsit in Clonmel where he stayed temporarily before being joined by Mary Ann three months ago.
Unable to find alternative accommodation themselves, the couple were housed in B&B accommodation for a couple of days by Clonmel Borough Council but the recent Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann meant all hotels and B&Bs were booked out and alternative accommodation was in short supply.
They decided to move to Waterford where the city council provided them with emergency accommodation at a B&B before arranging for them to be housed in separate hostels until such time as other accommodation could be found.
However, Mr O'Brien is adamant that the couple must be housed together. "We don't want to be split up and are just looking for a room where we can be safe, that is not asking a lot." To highlight their grievances, the couple has set up camp in the doorway of offices occupied by the council's housing department.
Waterford City Council's senior executive officer (Housing), Mr Fergus Galvin, said yesterday that everything possible had been done to accommodate the couple.
"After the B&B fell through we offered the couple separate accommodation in hostels in the city. We also referred them to the South Eastern Health Board (SEHB) for assistance.
"The couple are aware that there is still room available in the hostels. Unfortunately as it is a busy tourist season, B&B accommodation is scarce at the moment and that is not an option for the couple.
"They have been informed by officials here that if they source their own private rented accommodation then the SEHB will provide financial assistance for a deposit and weekly rent," said Mr Galvin.