The Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) has said it would welcome any initiative that allows teachers to live near their schools.
It comes after 46 apartments at Google's Bolands Mills Quarter in Dublin were launched at discounted rents for key workers such as gardaí, nurses and teachers.
The apartments will be offered with rents that are up to 36% below market rate.
Thirty-five two-bed apartments will be available at monthly rents of €1,710, ten three-bed apartments are €1,850 a month, and one large three-bed apartment is €2,100 a month.
General Secretary of the INTO John Boyle said: "We have three thousand vacancies in primary schools this year, most of them in the Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare areas.
"So this is a good start but we certainly need to see more, that's why I wrote to Helen McEntee, our new minister, last week to try to expedite measures to deal with the teacher supply crisis."
A key worker is defined as an employee who provides a vital service for the local community and wider society, especially in areas including but not limited to; public safety, healthcare, education, transport, law and order and infrastructure.
Applicants must also be able to demonstrate a connection to the local area such as being born and raised there, living in the area for a minimum of five years, and/or working in the area.
The local area is defined as within a 1.5 km radius of Bolands Mills.
Clúid, the not-for-profit housing association, was selected by Google after a competitive tender process to lease and manage all 46 apartments in the development.
Google has transferred the properties to Clúid on a 25-year lease in exchange for a small nominal fee.
The rents collected will be retained by Clúid to fund the management of the properties.
The homes are located in a renovated heritage building and a newly constructed building on Barrow Street, Dublin 4.
The apartments will be advertised from tomorrow, 19 February, and will remain open for two weeks.
Applications will be assessed by a third-party provider and allocations will be based on a lottery system.
Applicants will be assessed against an affordability test and maximum income thresholds.
"We have benchmarked the rents against front-line worker salaries to ensure they are accessible and sustainable for those who play a vital role in our society," said Eibhlin O'Connor, Chief Commercial Officer at Clúid.
"As a not-for-profit housing organisation with 30 years of experience in managing and maintaining homes, we understand the importance of providing high-quality housing options for multi-occupant households, whether families or individuals who are sharing," Ms O'Connor said.
Clúid said it is hopeful that the move by Google might inspire others to invest in similar community initiatives.
Google occupies a large number of the office buildings in the area surrounding Bolands Mill at the Grand Canal.
Its significant presence has led to some criticism in recent years that the area has become too expensive for locals or people on average industrial wages to live in.
"We're delighted to partner with Clúid to provide these discounted rental apartments, helping key workers who are vital to our local area and society to live close to where they contribute so much," said Vanessa Hartley, Head of Google Ireland.
"We’ve always envisioned Bolands Mills as a place that supports and enhances the neighbourhood, and this partnership is a significant step towards that goal," Ms Hartley said.
Google bought Bolands Mills in 2018.
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The complex and surrounding area have major historical significance.
During the 1916 Easter Rising, the buildings were occupied by rebel forces.
The nearby Boland's Bakery, which went on to become the Treasury Building, was the headquarters of the 3rd Battalion of Irish Volunteers under Éamon de Valera.
In September 2023, Google opened the first phase of its Bolands Mills development.
The historic Flour Mills building at the complex has been restored and adapted into a dedicated collaboration space for Google.
