These apartments will be offered at rates up to 36 percent below the market price to help ensure that essential employees can afford to live close to where they work.

The available housing encompasses 35 two-bedroom units, priced at €1,710 per month, ten three-bedroom apartments for €1,850, and one larger three-bedroom apartment for €2,1000 a month. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate a connection to the local area, which includes being born there, living in the area for at least five years, or working within a 1.5-kilometre radius of Bolands Mills.

Clúid, a not-for-profit housing association, was selected by Google to manage the leasing process. After a competitive tender, Google transferred the properties to Clúid on a 25-year lease for a nominal fee, with the rents collected to fund the ongoing management of the apartments.

The housing is located at a renovated heritage building and a newly constructed one on Barrow Street, Dublin 4, an area of significant historical significance. The Bolands Mills buildings, occupied by rebel forces during the 1916 Easter Rising, have been restored and adapted into a dedicated collaboration space.

Google’s cooperation with Clúid aims to address the increasing cost of living in the area, which has been criticised for becoming unaffordable for locals. Vanessa Hartley, Head of Google Ireland, stated that “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”.

The apartments will be advertised starting February 19 and will remain open to applications for two weeks. The selectin process will be based on a lottery system and an affordability test.