The number of unfinished housing estates around the country has fallen by almost 56%. New figures show that total has reduced from 2,846 in 2010 to 1,258 this year.

Work on over 500 of the developments was completed in the last 12 months. The number of vacant units in the estates has fallen by 72% since 2010.

The figures come a day after plans were announced to release 450 homes next year to help people in long term homelessness.

Focus Ireland says 5,000 people are currently homeless in Ireland and many of them are families living in emergency accommodation, such as shelters and B&Bs for 10 years or more.

And it says the number of families losing their homes every month in Dublin has doubled from 8 to 16. The charity says its vital that affordable secure housing is made available so that the rise in homelessness is stemmed.

While the Housing Minister Jan O'Sullivan says of the remaining unfinished developments, at least 40 will be demolished.