New figures show the number of mortgages in arrears for principal dwelling houses (PDH) fell further in the third quarter this year.

It says a total of 79,562 accounts were in arrears - a decline of 3.1% compared to the same quarter of last year.

This also marks the 13th consecutive quarter of decline.

While the number of accounts in arrears over 90 days stood at 56,350, reflecting a quarter-on-quarter decline of 2.1%.

This represents the 12th consecutive decline in the number of accounts in arrears over 90 days, the bank says.

The bank also says the number of mortgage accounts that were classified as 'restructured' at the end of September was 121,140.

Of these restructured accounts, 88% were deemed to be meeting the terms of their arrangement - down slightly from previous quarter.

However, homeless charity Focus Ireland say the figures show the housing and homeless crisis continues to deepen.

It says more than four family homes are being repossessed every day.

Focus Ireland say the numbers show that 421 homeowners either volunteered or were forced to hand over the keys to the properties.

Meanwhile, over 280 houses or apartments owned by landlords were repossessed by banks or financial institutions.

Buy-to-let "crisis"

Focus Ireland say the new figures also clearly report "the growing crisis facing tenants" in buy-to-let properties.

It is calling for the Government to take urgent action now to help vulnerable households.

It says the Government must move to accept proposals to increase the rights of tenants in 132,000 buy-to-let properties when this matter is voted on in the Dáil.

According to the report, there are 14,518 buy-to-let mortgages in arrears by more than 720 days, accounting for 11% of all buy-to-let mortgages.

There was an increase of 5.4% in the number of buy-to-let accounts where a rent receiver was appointed.

This follows on from an increase of 1% in the previous quarter, the Central Bank says.

Focus Ireland director of advocacy, Mike Allen, said: "The overall picture emerging is of further deterioration of the situation in the buy-to-let market with thousands of tenants at risk of losing their home, not through any fault of their own but because their landlord is unable to pay their mortgage."

Ross Maguire, of debt solutions agency New Beginning, told Newstalk Drive the majority of those affected are not able to restructure their mortgage.