Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 February 2019
68. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he is satisfied with the level of readiness of local authorities and the implementation oversight group ahead of the Cork city and county boundary changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8474/19]
View answerThe Cork boundary alteration is the most significant of its kind undertaken in the State. It represents a major reorganisation of local government in Cork with a population of over 85,000 people in the relevant area transferring from Cork County Council to Cork City Council.
The Local Government Act 2019 came into effect on 31 January 2019 and provides primarily for the alteration of the administrative boundary between Cork County Council and Cork City Council, which is planned to take place when the new Councils take office after the local elections in late May 2019. The Act provides for the establishment of a statutory Cork Boundary Alteration Implementation Oversight Committee to ensure that the challenges of implementation are addressed effectively and to oversee arrangements for the alteration of the boundary in accordance with an implementation plan.
Responsibility for the detailed planning and implementation of the reorganisation process rests primarily with the two local authorities, subject to guidance and oversight by the Oversight Committee and compliance with the Implementation Plan.
The Committee has advised my Department that work is continuing in a timely fashion towards the transfer day of 31 May 2019. The statutory implementation plan is expected to be published in the coming weeks. Work on staff transfer plans and the financial settlement is also progressing and I am satisfied with the engagement and the level of readiness in the local authorities and the implementation oversight by the Oversight Committee.
