HRI and the Land Development Agency (LDA) are in talks about the transfer of part of the site so that it can be used to build social and affordable housing, The Irish Times reported on Tuesday.

The State-sponsored body has reached an agreement to purchase the 3.79-hectare Royal Liver site on the Naas Road

O'Brien also claims more than 33,500 homes will be completed by the end of the year.

In an opening statement given to members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), on Tuesday, OPW officials argued that the cost was higher than forecast because of the emergency nature of the pilot programme.

Shanganagh Castle Estate in Shankill, Co Dublin, was delivered by the Land Development Agency (LDA) and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

The plans have been delayed due to a legal challenge from a local resident

The LDA has already appointed a design team for the project and is expecting to make a planning application for about 350 new homes in Q1 of next year.

The proposed Bluebell Waterways development will be located along the Grand Canal in Dublin 12