The Housing and Planning Minister has approved funding for 83 rapid build homes.
The new homes will cost an estimated €20.4 million, and will consist of 59 homes at St Cuthbert’s Park, Clondalkin in Dublin 22 and 24 homes at Killininny Road, Firhouse in Dublin 24.
Figures showed that only 22 rapid build homes were completed and occupied in 2016.
However, Simon Coveney's department say 350 of the homes were 'advancing through various stages of delivery' at the end of last year. It is hoped that work on a further 650 of the homes will be underway by the end of 2017.
It is estimated the homes take around eight months to complete.
Minister Coveney said: “I am pleased to be in the position to outline further progress under the rapid build programme. I have approved two projects estimated to cost €20.4million which will deliver 83 homes for homeless families. These homes will take families out of commercial hotels and provide them with a home until they move to permanent social housing.
“My Department continues to work closely with all local authorities in relation to increasing and accelerating the delivery of a range of social housing programmes and supports, including rapid build homes,” he added.
He notes that there has been 'significant pressure' put on local authorities to ramp up delivery of the homes.
The update on the project comes as the latest Government figures revealed that the number of homeless people in Ireland has risen above 7,000 for the first time.
