More than 44,000 homeowners are at least three months behind with their mortgage repayments.
Figures from the Central Bank show that the number of householders unable to keep up with their monthly repayments increased by 10 percent in the final few months of 2010.
According to the data 106 homes were repossessed in the last quarter.
The Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears offers a certain amount of protection to struggling homeowners.
Director of the Free Legal Advice Centres, Noeline Blackwell has the following advice for those in arrears.
