The Cork boundary alteration is the most significant local government boundary alteration to be undertaken since the foundation of the State. The change, which will see a population increase in the city of some 83,000, will drive sustainable economic growth and strengthen Cork's position as Ireland's second city and an “economic engine” for the wider southern region, with implications for business development, population growth, housing provision and associated infrastructure.
The Local Government Bill 2018 published in July 2018 provides for the boundary alteration and also for the establishment of the Cork Oversight Implementation Committee, with general responsibility for overseeing the alteration of the boundary between the respective areas of jurisdiction of Cork City Council and Cork County Council. This will be undertaken in accordance with a detailed implementation plan and the aim will be to ensure, as far as possible, that such arrangements are progressed effectively throughout the implementation process. Responsibility for the detailed planning and implementation of the reorganisation process rests primarily with the local authorities, subject to guidance and oversight by the Oversight Committee and compliance with the implementation plan.
In the interim, the non-statutory Cork Implementation Oversight Group has been working consistently with both authorities to prepare for the transition. Both authorities have dedicated teams in place and are engaging with an independent transition Manager as part of this process.
While the boundary alteration and transfer of local authority jurisdiction will take full legal effect in mid-2019, the legislation provides appropriate flexibility in relation to operational arrangements so that transfer of practical responsibility for certain functions can proceed on a more gradual basis, as necessary, to allow time for organisational changes to be completed.
