Posts to fill for city extension

Cork City Council is hoping to fill another 65 current vacancies before the boundary extension comes into effect.

203 staff have agreed to move from Cork County Council to work in City Hall after 31 May, when the city will officially expand for the first time in 50 years.

The news comes as both councils launched a public awareness campaign aimed at the 85,000 citizens living in the parts of the county that are due to transfer to the city.

This includes Ballincollig, Blarney, Tower, Glanmire, Douglas, Donnybrook, Grange, Frankfield, Rochestown and Togher.

Crunching down into the numbers, it will see City Hall look after a further nine graveyards, three libraries, 400 council services, 481 planning applications, 990 social housing units, 62,567 votes and 550km of roads.

An information leaflet highlighting the changes is being distributed to all households and businesses within the transfer area in the coming days.

All services such as roads, planning and environment currently operated by Cork County Council will be managed by Cork City Council from 31 May. Cork City Council will levy rates in the transition area from 1 January 2020.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy said: “As County Mayor, I thank you for working with us and I assure you that Cork County Council will advise all our citizens of what this means for them and we are here to answer your queries. It has been a pleasure to serve you.”

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Mick Finn said: “As you know from 31 May, Cork City will have its first boundary extension in 50 years. This will yield many opportunities for Cork city as well as challenges. In the coming days, leaflets will be delivered to homes and businesses coming in to the city and we look forward to welcoming you in and explaining how Cork City Council will operate for you.”

Both councils have established dedicated information lines for anyone with a query about how the boundary alteration might affect them. Cork City Council can be contacted during office hours at 021-4924444 and Cork County Council can be contacted during office hours at 021-4285054.

A comprehensive list of frequently asked questions, together with an interactive map highlighting the boundary change, is available online at corkcity.ie and corkcoco.ie.