Taoiseach Micheál Martin will mark the start of construction on 934 new homes at the former Central Mental Hospital site in Dundrum, south Dublin, in a significant step towards delivering more affordable housing.
The development, known as Dún Brí, is being delivered by the Land Development Agency (LDA) in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
The scheme will provide a mix of affordable purchase homes, cost-rental accommodation and social housing, aimed at meeting the needs of a range of households amid continued pressure on Ireland’s housing market.
Of the 934 homes planned, 753 will be made available through affordable purchase and cost-rental schemes, while the remaining 181 will be designated as social housing.
The project will also include a range of community facilities and amenities designed to support the growing neighbourhood. These include a community and sports centre, a medical centre, a crèche, a café and public open spaces.
The former Central Mental Hospital site has been earmarked for redevelopment as part of efforts to make better use of publicly owned land to address the housing shortage. The scale of the project is expected to make it a significant addition to the housing supply in south Dublin.
Affordable purchase homes are intended to help eligible buyers who may struggle to meet the full market price of a property, while cost-rental homes are provided at rents designed to be more affordable and sustainable over the longer term. Social housing will provide accommodation for households whose housing needs cannot be met through the private market.
The development has faced delays, including legal challenges and planning hurdles. Planning permission for the 934-home scheme was granted in December 2025, allowing the project to move closer to construction.
The first homes are expected to be completed by late 2028, with the wider development scheduled to be delivered in phases over subsequent years.
The commencement of construction represents a key milestone for the project, which is intended to create a new residential community with housing options for buyers, renters and households in need of social accommodation.
The development forms part of wider efforts by the Government and the Land Development Agency to increase housing delivery, particularly on State-owned land in areas where demand for accommodation remains high.
