Minister Phelan announces Government recommendations on Local Government Arrangements in Cork

Mr. John Paul Phelan T.D., Minister of State for Local Government and Electoral Reform, announced today (6th June 2018) that he has brought to Cabinet the general scheme of the Local Government Bill 2018 which will give effect to the Cork boundary alteration extending the area of Cork City Council.

In December 2017, the Government decided to proceed with extension of the Cork City boundary as was recommended by the Cork Expert Advisory Group, and subsequently endorsed by the Cork Oversight Group which also recommended a revised boundary delineation in its report published in December 2017.

The General Scheme of a Bill which has been submitted to Government is to provide for the alteration of the administrative boundary between Cork City and Cork County and will address the need for detailed planning and implementation of the reorganisation process and the role of the respective local authorities and the Implementation Oversight Group. The legislation will also address the timing of the transition from both a financial and operational perspective.

While the boundary alteration and transfer of local authority jurisdiction will take full legal effect in mid-2019, the legislation will provide appropriate flexibility in relation to operational arrangements so that transfer of operational responsibility for certain functions can proceed on a more gradual basis, as necessary, to allow time for organisational changes to be completed. Review of local electoral areas for the purposes of the 2019 local elections is underway.

Welcoming the General Scheme of the Bill, Minister Phelan said “that an expanded Cork City Council area offers the best solution, particularly in terms of the structure of local government and a strong focus on the needs and demands of the metropolitan area, including regeneration, while also recognising the specific service needs of rural areas.”