The rate at which homes are being repossessed has increased by more than 500% since last year.

New figures from the Courts Service show 586 repossession orders were granted by the Circuit Court in the first three months of this year.

That is compared with 95 in the same period last year.

The majority of 383 related to primary homes, 97 were buy to let and 106 were unknown.

The greatest number granted was in Dublin - followed by Cork, Laois and Wexford, while Sligo saw the fewest granted at just one.

Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Ruth Coppinger says the government needs to act immediately.

"A 500% increase year on year is not a statistical anomaly which the government can ignore but a clear sign that the banks are taking a more aggressive approach as house prices increase."

Senior Counsel with the lobby group New Beginnings is Ross Maguire.