The majority of available HAP properties are in the capital, and overall supply is falling across the country.

The Simon Communities found that in December there were 46 properties available to rent within the discretionary rate of the HAP

Marianna Broughan, 37, lives in a rented property in Athy, Co Kildare with her five-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son.

The Workplace Relations Commission ruled that the landlord had breached the Equal Status Act by discriminating against his tenant

A new report by Oireachtas researchers has estimated that 6.6 per cent of all children aged 18 or under are in households who are eligible for social housing but not yet provided with such accommodation.

In 10 of the 16 areas, there were no HAP properties available to rent through the scheme in any household category.