Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Minister of State will be aware, the programme for Government sets out quite clearly that a task force will be set up to deal with the challenges that exist in Cork city centre. There is a need for major redevelopment and for an overall plan to deal with those challenges. In real terms, a lot of progress has been made in Cork city but we need to work through how we can grow and develop the city centre into the future. We have already set out proposals in respect of improving the transport system from Ballincollig to Cork University Hospital, Munster Technological University and University College Cork, the city centre, the railway station and on to Mahon.

In the past eight weeks alone, over 1,150 social or affordable housing units have been identified for construction in Cork. At the ESB site in Wilton, there will be 350 units, 600 units at the Tramore Road site, which previously belonged to CNP, and 217 units at the Sextant bar site. There is development in some areas, but we still have a lot of buildings in the city centre that are vacant and that need to be totally refurbished. In addition, we need to use compulsory purchase orders to move on those properties that have been lying idle for a considerable period.

We have to have an overall strategy. For instance, in the area in which my office is located in Blackpool, we have a flood relief scheme that has been going on since 2013. Twelve years on, we still have not turned a sod in the context of dealing with that issue. We need to have an overall plan. The important issue is that we need to put in place a task force to deal with that. Such a task force would not just involve the city council; all of the relevant Government agencies and community groups must also work together to develop and grow the city centre. For instance, I offer the simple example of one project I was working on when I was Minister of State, namely having a day centre for people who are homeless. We have more than 600 people in the city who are homeless and who are in night shelters from 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. The following morning, they are back out on the street. That is manageable when there is fine weather. When the weather is not fine, however, they have nowhere to go. We need that day centre. We have identified a building. It is 13 months since I attended a joint meeting of the city council, the HSE and the Departments of Health and housing. The project has still not been progressed in the meantime. A task force is essential to make sure that all of these projects move forward. We also need to make sure that it deals not only with the needs of businesses, but also with the social needs of the area as well. We need to sit down and discuss matters.

A task force was set up for Dublin.

There is now a very good programme. A plan was introduced and there is a programme of action to be taken, which is now up and running. There is a clear timeline for delivery in that area in Dublin. I wish all those involved in the Dublin project well but we also need to do this in Cork. It is the second biggest city, and we need to grow and develop it. That is why we need a task force.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter, not just for his own city but for all of us across Ireland. As Ireland’s second city, Cork occupies a very important position in the economic, social and cultural life of the nation. I would go so far as to say that Ireland’s overall success is closely bound to the success of Cork city.

The Government is very aware of the challenges faced by our urban areas, such as Cork city, particularly in the wake of Covid. During Covid, we saw reduced footfall, changed retail habits, increased vacancy and dereliction, all of which led to a perceived sense of our towns and cities being less safe than before. It is fair to say that our capital city has demonstrated the worst effects of this in recent years. That is why, in May 2024, the Government appointed the Dublin city task force, chaired by David McRedmond, to take a holistic view of the measures required to rejuvenate Dublin city centre, north and south. The aim is to make Dublin city centre a more thriving, attractive and safe cityscape, and a desirable location to live, work, do business and visit. As Deputy Burke said, the Dublin city task force took an evidence-informed approach and made a series of recommendations. A roadmap for delivery of the task force report was published in June 2025.

These actions reflect the programme for Government commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Dublin city task force. As part of this, the Government has also undertaken to apply this task force model to other cities, towns and regions in need of revitalisation, starting with a task force for Cork city. We remain committed to this, acknowledging that Cork city faces many of the same challenges as Dublin, particularly around policing and safety, dereliction and cleanliness. With Deputy Burke and other representatives, I met with Cork Chamber of Commerce earlier this year. It was very clear that Cork city needed investment. The day centre that Deputy Burke spoke about in his contribution was referenced at that meeting. I know it is something the Deputy has advocated and campaigned for over a long period.

Cork city’s unique character and potential as our second city will, however, demand a tailored response. Cork city’s potential is fully recognised in its current development plan, which sets out how the city will grow and develop until 2028. The strategic vision is for Cork city to take its place as a world-class city, driving local and regional growth, and embracing diversity and inclusiveness. Intrinsic to this is Cork’s wealth of heritage assets and cultural amenities, which need to be invested in and protected. Other priorities for investment include large-scale regeneration projects in the Cork docklands and in Tivoli, and the development of a much-enhanced, citywide public transport system.

I can assure the Deputy that the Government is not lacking in plans or vision for Cork city. The modern idea of a city is changing and there is an onus on us all to reimagine Cork city centre in that context. This is about how we sustain business, invest in the public realm, make our streets safer and get more people living in the centre, right in the heart of things. The joined-up thinking of a task force, bringing together relevant agencies and local expertise from different sectors, would be of great benefit in galvanising our collective efforts. I fully agree with the Deputy about this being needed. However, it is important that we get the terms of reference and the focus right. With that in mind, the Taoiseach has been in discussion with the chief executive of Cork City Council on how best to go about this, and he has asked officials in his Department to further consider the optimum approach in consultation with officials in Cork City Council. The outcome of these deliberations will be finalised and announced in due course.

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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My concern is that it would be delayed further, given that we are already over 350 days in government. Even if we set up the task force in the morning, it would take 12 months to get the report and further time to set up an implementation mechanism. I am concerned about the timeframe in which this task force will be set up.

It is also important that the task force is inclusive. I accept that Cork City Council is playing a very important part in the development and growth of the city in the work it is already doing. For example, flood relief schemes are progressing. This is about making sure we include everyone in the process, for example, the city council, the chamber of commerce, the business community and the community organisations. If we go back to one of the best long-term plans that was done for Cork city and county, it was a combination of all of those elements together that produced the LUTS plan for Cork, which planned out where we were going over the following 20 years. I served on the Port of Cork for ten years and we were instrumental in making sure the Ringaskiddy development went ahead. Contracts have since been signed for the Ringaskiddy bypass road and work has started on that. There is also the whole process of moving all of the companies located in the Tivoli-docklands area down to Ringaskiddy, thereby opening up a whole area of land to be developed. However, the city centre is important and we should now do the work on that. The Tivoli-docklands area will not be developed until the Ringaskiddy bypass is completed.

We need to forward-plan for the city centre. There are many buildings that are underutilised but are suitable for either business or residential accommodation. We need to make sure we bring them all back into use and they are fully occupied.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his observations and his support for the desire to work together on the rejuvenation of Cork city to make it a better place to live, work and experience its wonderful culture. The people of Cork have an immense and justifiable pride in their beautiful city but even the proudest Corkonian will admit there are a number of areas where we could do better to enhance the city's vibrancy and vitality, and the Deputy has listed some of them. There is no doubt that the growing population in Cork presents both challenges and opportunities. We need to tackle vacancy and dereliction, and we need to make sure that Cork's streets are vibrant, as well as safe and clean. The ingenuity of Cork people is recognised throughout this country, and no one should doubt their ability to lead the way in making the city the best it can be.

The approach of the Dublin city task force and the roadmap for delivery provides a very good example of how State agencies and key stakeholders can work together to plot a course for a city's rejuvenation. As the Deputy mentioned, inclusiveness is a huge part of this. He spoke about how he was part of the initiative that brought together the city council, chambers of commerce, businesses and community organisations. That combination of the right people around the table bred the success of Ringaskiddy.

We want to build on this in line with the programme for Government commitment but we also want to take a fresh approach for Cork city. As I said in the opening statement, it is important that we get the terms of reference and the focus right. I understand the Deputy’s frustration around timelines. If it happened yesterday, it would not be quick enough for the Deputy, and I understand that because it is all about delivery and progress. I can assure the House that there will be further intensive discussions on this in the coming weeks and that the next steps for Cork city will be announced in the very near future. I will ask the Taoiseach to keep Deputy Burke fully up to date on that.