QUESTIONS over how the homeless figures in West Cork are being recorded were raised by Social Democrat Cllr Isobel Towse at a meeting of the local authority’s Western Division.

A report presented by the council’s housing director, Keith Jones, showed that there were 22 people in emergency accommodation at the end of December 31st 2025, and 59 in Cork County.

The statistics showed that 21 people in West Cork have been in emergency accommodation for anything up to six months, with just one person having to stay in emergency accommodation for more than 12 months.

It was reported that six people in West Cork received tenancies which took them out of homelessness; while Housing Assistance Payments benefited three more.

In addition, 17 people in West Cork benefited from the Placefinder scheme, which means they too were offered a way out of homelessness.

Aside from the homeless figures, the housing report noted that there have been 319 new HAP tenancies established in West Cork, bringing the West Cork total to 1,073, while the figure for Cork County is 3,030.

But Cllr Towse was of the opinion that the figures do not adequately reflect the problem in West Cork. She said the problem has got to the stage where people are openly sleeping in their cars in various towns throughout the region.

She said the problem is no longer hidden. It’s evident for anyone with eyes to see, and it has gone beyond the notion of people ‘couch-surfing.’

‘To get a true reflection of the situation,’ she said, ‘figures should be made available for those presenting as homeless to council services and being refused.’

Cllr Towse said there is a much bigger picture beyond those who are being placed in emergency accommodation, which she described as being ‘a fraction of the homelessness issue.’

The Social Democrat councillor also asked if the council’s housing department is taking applications from people who are currently renting, but are in a situation where the owners are planning to sell their properties.

She estimated that the 30% rise in the rate of homelessness is due to the worsening tenancy situation and the decision of landlords to sell up.

Cllr Danny Collins (Ind Ire) said he was pleased that more than 120 houses are being built in the area, including eight new units in Durrus, and 12 new apartments in Ballydehob.

Cllr Collins noted that more and more people are relocating to smaller towns and rural areas because the cost of rental is cheaper than urban
centres.

But he alleged there is a recurring problem with anti-social behaviour from some people staying in emergency accommodation in Glengarriff despite the fact that some are not even from Cork county.

He spoke about one young mother who, while taking her daughter to school, was put in fear by a man who was roaring and shouting around the streets.

‘I have spoken to the gardaí about this and I can’t go to Glengarriff anymore because every time I go I get an ear-wagging about it,’ he added.

‘It’s got so bad that some local business people are saying they will not pay their rates unless the issue is addressed.’

Cllr Daniel Sexton (Ind Ire) was of the opinion that ‘a lot of people are not being defined as homeless, so I believe the figures are a lot bigger than people realise.

There’s a lot of people who are falling between the gaps and are suffering as a result.’

A council official reminded the councillors that the emergency accommodation in Glengarriff is privately owned and renting is at the discretion of the owners.