A group of protestors has occupied a show house in Dublin to highlight the level of homelessness across the country.

The group of about 20 people - some of whom are homeless themselves - are calling on the Government to take urgent action on the issue.

The occupation began after 3pm in Hansfield Estate, Ongar, Dublin 15, during a public viewing of showhouses. 

It follows a similar protest last week in which a group occupied a NAMA controlled property.

One of those involved in today's action in Blanchardstown is TD Ruth Coppinger - she says they're in it for the long haul:

A press statement further outlined the reasons behind the protest:

"The only housing on offer is private or Nama, with a maximum of 10% social housing. This is simply not enough when there are over 6,020 families on the local list and thousands more struggling to pay rents."

They described as "obscene" the fact that the developer of Hansfield Estate is, they say, set to make €10m in the midst of a housing crisis.

The statement continues: 

"The people taking part in this occupation are women and men who've lost their rented homes and are now suffering with their children in faraway hotels and B&Bs.

"They went to the Dail during the week and saw the lack of urgency by the government. The acquisition of these houses would make a big dent in the local homeless figures.

"We call on the community to come out and support our stand by coming up to the site. We call on others to do similar occupations of Nama, private or vacant property to make the government act with urgency and fund a house-building programme in the Budget."