New rules for social housing waiting lists are predicted to cut the numbers of potential tenants turning down homes.

Under the changes those who are lower down the list can boost their chances by agreeing to live in less popular areas.

The Environment Minister hopes the move will dramatically decrease the amount of refusals.

The Irish Times revealed last year that nearly 2,000 offers of housing were rejected.

If successful, the rule change could also reduce the amount of properties lying vacant around the country.