Dozens of new apartments are being offered to rent in Dublin’s city centre for key workers such as nurses, teachers and gardaí at discounts of over a third of the market rate.

The Google-owned Boland’s Mills on Grand Canal Docks – next to the tech giant’s European HQ – will open for applications today.

A two-bed apartment will cost €1,710 a month on Barrow Street, Dublin 4, compared to advertised rents of €2,800 to €3,500 a month in the area.

The not-for-profit housing association Clúid was selected by Google after a competitive tender process to lease and manage the 46 apartments.

The scheme has 35 two-bed apartments, ten three-beds and one larger three-bed.

To qualify, applicants have to show a connection to the area within a 1.5km radius of Boland’s Mills, such as being born and raised there, living nearby for a minimum of five years, having immediate family in the area for a minimum of five years, and/or working in the area.

The scheme is also targeted at “key workers”, defined as an employee who provides a vital service for the local community, such as public safety, healthcare, education, transport, law and order and infrastructure.

Clúid chief commercial officer Eibhlín O’Connor explained: “We have benchmarked the rents against front-line worker salaries to ensure they are accessible and sustainable for those who play a vital role in our society.

“In addition to the discounted to market rent, BER ratings of B for the heritage building and A for the new tower means these apartments will be economical to run.

“Their central location also means that residents can walk or cycle to work and access many key local amenities.”

The homes are located in a renovated heritage building and a newly constructed building, on a 25-year lease to Clúid from Google for what has been described as a small nominal fee.

The apartments will be advertised from today on Cluid.ie and Daft.ie for two weeks.

Applicants will be assessed by third-party provider, Occu Living, and those who meet the criteria will be entered into a lottery process.

The apartments will be ready in the spring.

Google Ireland chief Vanessa Hartley said: “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.”

But Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin has questioned the afforability of the properties.

He said: “This is the most expensive discounted rental development in the city and clearly this doesn’t provide a solution to the thousands of workers out there who aren’t eligible for social housing but can’t afford to rent or buy on the private market.”