'Our focus will be on delivery': Cork City Council management to be restructured

The new chief executive of Cork City Council has announced a major restructuring of senior management, directorates, and the creation of a city-centre-focused directorate.

Valerie O’Sullivan said she believes the changes, which will come in to effect in December, “will aid in, and accelerate, delivery of positive changes for the citizens of Cork”.

Under her plans, the assistant chief executive, Brian Geaney, will assume responsibility for the Cork Docklands regeneration project, planning and development, the city centre, and housing.

Fearghal Reidy, who spearheads the strategic economic-development directorate, will lead a new directorate, ‘climate, energy, and city designations’.

Another new directorate, ‘city centre development and operations’, is being processed by the Public Appointments Service and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Local area development and operations will be overseen by former director of corporate affairs, Paul Moynihan.

David Joyce, who has managed the operations directorate, switches to service redesign and emergency management.

Current director of community, Rebecca Loughry, will now oversee a corporate and community directorate that will incorporate community, arts and culture, the local enterprise office, and Cork City Libraries.

Niall Ó Donnabháin will now take charge of planning and development, incorporating city architects, property and economic development.

Alison O’Rourke will head the housing directorate and Gerry O’Beirne remains as director of infrastructure.

The number of directorates remains unchanged, the council stated. 

“The changes in management and directorate structure reflect my priorities for the city and our organisation,” Ms O’Sullivan said. 

“It is an exciting time, with development and regeneration occurring at a pace not previously seen. Our focus will be on delivery and we will reshape our teams to achieve that.

“We are conscious of maintaining service continuity as the re-alignment is undertaken, but these changes are required to deliver on our targets for the people of Cork. It is my belief that this restructure will aid in, and accelerate, delivery of positive changes for the citizens of Cork, and I have every faith in staff to make this happen, in partnership with the elected of council,” she said.