A report on homelessness and housing in the capital has found many families are reluctant to take up the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme.
The study from the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive says 343 families opted for emergency accommodation rather than HAP, due to difficulties getting accommodation in the private rental sector.
Meanwhile in Waterford, Independent Tramore councillor Blaise Hannigan says the HAP scheme poses many problems for those on it.
"If you're on the HAP scheme, you're responsible, you have to get your own property. If you're on the RAS (rental accommodation scheme) scheme it's the Council's responsibility. So when the Council changed from RAS to HAP those people on HAP are second class citizens when it comes to looking for properties."
Waterford City councillor Joe Kelly says there are major problems with the scheme.
"The HAP systems is completely out of line with current rent rates. We should be writing to the Minister saying the cap needs to be reviewed because the gap between what's allowed and what people have to pay is 300/400/500 euro it's just impossible for people. People are facing homelessness."
