Owners of vacant properties have been urged by the Peter McVerry Trust to avail of the Government's Repair and Leasing Scheme to cover the cost of works and ease the housing crisis.

Housing associations provided one-third of the total amount of long-term social housing last year, amid calls for more government help in providing increased housing in future.

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.

Fewer than 6% of the 3,879 homes identified by Nama for social housing have been delivered or have their contracts signed and agreed.