Two social housing projects will deliver more than 800 new social or affordable homes for Cork city.
The Creamfields development on the old Kinsale Road will deliver 606 units and is the largest development in Cork by Approved Housing Body Respond to date.
It will be one of the largest mixed-tenure housing developments to be built in the city for a number of years.
Meanwhile, the Railyard Apartments scheme, located on the former Carey's Tool Hire site on Albert Quay in the city centre, will deliver 217 units and will include Ireland's tallest residential building.
The development will consist of a mix of studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments. These include 118 cost rental homes, 77 social homes and 22 age-friendly social homes for individuals and families on Cork City Council's housing list.
When completed, it will also include the tallest residential building in Ireland, coming in at 85.35 metres high..
Taoiseach Micheál Martin was at the sod-turning ceremony for the Railyard project and said that "the delivery of new homes continues to be an absolute priority of government this year and in the years ahead.
"This is an example of true partnership in Cork between Cork City Council, Clúid Housing and JCD Group and it is resulting in 217 new homes in the city," he added.
Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy said the two projects, which are being supported by Cork City Council, are "about more than bricks and mortar".
He added: "They are about providing secure, high-quality homes for families who need them most, and it’s about regeneration."
Cork City Council CEO Valerie O'Sullivan said that the residents who will eventually move into the Railyard homes will "bring new life, vibrancy and energy to the city centre".
She said the Creamfields scheme "will transform a large brownfield site into a new suburban neighbourhood with high-quality homes alongside new social and cultural spaces."
The Creamfields development will deliver 225 social homes and 381 cost rental homes over four phases.
The first phase, which is estimated to be completed in 2028 will provide 112 homes, with phases two, three and four delivering 268, 167 and 59 homes respectively.
Once fully complete, the development with consist of 558 apartments and 48 duplex houses.
