Cllr Mark Lohan has welcomed the Galway City Council's vote to build 74 social houses in Knocknacarra.
The Sinn Fein councillor said while he would prefer to see the project fully funded and built by the local authority, he is still glad to finally vote to begin building the 74 social houses.
He also stressed the importance of the use of social clauses in the bid documents which will ensure that local construction workers are hired on the project.
"It is good news for those on Galway's waiting lists and it's good news for local workers. The social clause will ensure that local qualified tradesmen and women will be employed on the construction of these homes.
“This is the first use of the social clause in Galway city and it will have a direct benefit for city residents in the construction industry.”
The clauses are widely used across Europe and Cllr Lohan has modelled the Galway City clause on that of Belfast City Council.
“I want to commend the city executive for the speedy implementation of social clauses and I look forward to monitoring and reviewing its progress.
“I have been seeking to have these pro worker local laws passed since 2013, before I became a councillor, and there is a particular sense of satisfaction to see good local law come into being. The use of social clauses in a social housing build gives a double benefit to the people of Galway city."
The planning process will start in August with tender documents expected to issue by the end of this year.
Construction is projected to take 18 to 24 months.
