Three of Ireland's best-known charities are asking people to consider donating their refunds from Irish Water to tackle homelessness.

Simon Community, Focus Ireland and Peter McVerry Trust are planning a major national fundraising campaign.

It'll coincide with the upcoming Irish Water national repayment scheme - which will see €173m handed back to almost one million account holders.

The charities will launch 'The Refund Project' - asking people, who can afford to donate to consider the plight of Ireland's over 8,000 people who are homeless

The group say that even a fraction of the total repayments could help make an enormous difference in the delivery of much needed housing.

In a joint statement, the charities said: "For many, including those struggling to keep a roof over their heads, the refund of water charges will help making ends meet.

"For others who are more fortunate it will be a welcome windfall and it is to those that we will direct this appeal.

"The issue of homelessness is very complex, but everybody has a role to play - Government, charities and society.

"It's important to stress that this will not lessen in any way the responsibility of government and policy makers to drive forward the national homelessness strategy."