Hundreds of people rallied in Cork tonight demanding radical action to address the housing crisis as new figures showed that 400 new homes could be developed in vacant upper floors in the heart of the city.

At least 1,400 vacant social houses are to be returned to productive use by the end of the year for homeless households and families on housing waiting lists.

Twenty unions in Cork City and county have joined forces in a first-of-its-kind initiative in Ireland to better organise workers and the wider community.