NOT all of the ‘Cuckoo’ funds currently snapping up Ireland’s apartment blocks in fell swoops for fat profits are vultures, predators, or pension and international funds seeking top rents.

A Cork-based voluntary housing association has issued an urgent appeal to companies for help in preventing seven families from being evicted.

A significant disparity between larger banks and smaller competitors has emerged in terms of their success in finding solutions for lower-income families to remain in their homes as part of a government scheme.

A new plan by government to clear the 90,000 waiting list for social housing has been welcomed by support groups, but with a warning that much more work is needed to ease the crisis.