Plans to construct 345 new homes in Galway have been announced by the Land Development Agency (LDA).
Comprising of one, two and three bedroom apartments, the first phase of the development is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
The LDA says 310 of the properties will be made available on a cost rental basis, with the remaining 35 allocated for social housing.
Cost rental schemes offer long-term occupancy to people, at below market prices. They are intended to assist those not eligible for other State housing supports who may have difficulty meeting the cost of private rents.
The new development, at the Crown Square site on the east side of Galway city, will be made up of four separate apartment blocks.
A total of 240 properties will have two bedrooms, with 86 one-beds and 19 three-bedroom units.
The housing element forms part of a wider plan for a mixed-use development on the Mervue Road, which will include business, retail and recreational facilities.
The announcement forms part of the 'Project Tosaigh' initiative, where the LDA works with private builders to provide new homes.
It is hoped this will result in the completion of 8,000 units nationwide by 2028.
Separately, the Agency is working to develop housing on a number of State-owned sites around Galway.
Plans for affordable housing have been announced at Dyke Road, Sandy Road and at Galway Harbour, but no target completion dates have been set at this stage.
