The number of mortgage accounts in arrears for 90 days for more fell by 2 per cent to 69,865 at the end of August, according to new figures published by the Department of Finance.

Total mortgage accounts in arrears also declined when compared to July, falling by 2 per cent or 2,089 to 100,132, the data show.

The total number of mortgage accounts in Ireland totalled 693,832 at the end of August, of which 593,700 were not in arrears.

At the end of August, the number of permanent mortgage restructures rose by 3,800 or 5 per cent to 79,405.

However, almost 50,000 of the mortgages in arrears for 90 days or more have not yet been restructured. This is equivalent to 71 per cent of all such mortgages in arrears. In addition, a further 5,237 accounts, equivalent to 7 per cent of such mortgages had been temporarily restrucutred.

During the month of August, the number of split mortgages - where part of the mortgage is put aside for a fixed term - also rose, up 6 6 per cent to 16,198. This represents an increase of 950 on the previous month.

The Department of Finance’s figures are compiled from the six main banks operating in the State, which between them represent about 90 per cent of the mortgage market here.