GE Money Mortgages:GE Money is the longest- established lender in the Irish sub-prime space, having launched its first product here in 2003. It is part of GE Capital/Woodchester Ltd.

Start Mortgages

Start entered the market in 2005 and is now the main lender in this niche market. It is owned by Kensington, a heavyweight player in the British sub-prime market.

Kensington recently announced that it plans to increase its focus on the British and Irish sub-prime markets.

Nua Homeloans

This new entrant to the market is a joint venture between Finance Ireland (Fire) and South African company Investec.

Springboard

Irish Life & Permanent announced in January that it was linking up with Merrill Lynch in order to tap into the sub-prime market.

Stepstone

IIB Homeloans has joined forces with Merrill Lynch and the launch of its joint venture, Stepstone, is imminent.

More sub-prime lenders on the way?

EBS announced earlier this month that "advanced discussions" are under way with British building society Britannia, with a view to forming a new Irish mortgage intermediary joint venture.

It is understood that this new venture, to be called Platform, will target the sub-prime market.