A scheme to deliver 133 cost rental apartments in Tallaght town centre has officially began construction.

Representatives turned out for a sod turning ceremony to celebrate the beginning of construction at Belgard Square North.

This South Dublin County Council project represents the first standalone cost rental development by a local authority in Ireland.

The development consists of three studio apartments, 64 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments and three three-bedroom apartments to be delivered in three blocks, ranging from three to eight storeys together with community space and high-quality communal and public open space.

Building contractor JJ Rhatigan has been appointed by the Council for the construction works with the development expected to be completed and occupied in 2025. The project is being funded by South Dublin County Council with support through the Affordable Housing Fund from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under Housing for All, the national housing plan.

Cost rental housing provides affordable rented accommodation to people on middle incomes who are above the threshold for social housing but have difficulty affording private rented accommodation. The rent payable by tenants in this development will be directly linked to the cost of building, managing and maintaining the homes and will be at discounted to at least 25% below local market rents through the Affordable Housing Fund subsidy.

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Speaking at the official sod turning, Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien said: "I am delighted to turn the sod on the State's first Local Authority led Cost Rental Scheme. Cost Rental is a new form of tenure here in Ireland, it's where rents are charged which cover the cost of delivering, managing and maintaining the homes only, so they are not driven by profits. They are safe and secure rental homes where people can set down their roots if they want to, safe in the knowledge the State is backing them. Under Housing for All we will see at least 18,000 Cost Rental homes delivered across the country by our Local Authorities, our AHBs and the LDA. I want to highly commend Danny and South Dublin County Council for making this a reality."

Mr Danny McLoughlin, Chief Executive, South Dublin County Council commented: "Quality, affordable rental accommodation is now and will continue to be a critical element of Government led housing delivery policy. This is the first of many such developments planned by South Dublin County Council. It is a quality development, in what we believe will be a highly sought after location within this new Innovation District. The Elected Councillors who have supported this innovative project are to be commended for taking this first important step in what is a new broader housing delivery role for local government."

Ger Ronayne, Chief Executive Officer, JJ Rhatigan & Company added: "We are delighted to get started on this much-needed housing project for the people of Tallaght. We understand the urgency of the need for high-quality affordable housing and we are committed to delivering all 133 apartments by mid-2024. Our use of precast concrete and other modern methods of construction will allow us to speed up delivery, and we are excited to see the positive impact this development will have on the community and the wider area into the future."