Life Sciences: World class work-life balance

With the intense proliferation of multi-national companies based in the region, Cork is, inevitably, a particularly busy destination for relocating employees.

These professionals come from all over the world, and, according to Frank Morley, MD of Corporate Care Relocation, their reaction to life in the region is usually very positive.

The second city is perceived as an attractive destination for employees re-locating to Ireland says Morley, and he should know — he and his team are usually in charge of everything from helping with the necessary legal documentation in terms of the residency and employment permits required by someone planning to work here for a spell, to enabling new arrivals to find a home for their family, schools for the children and even open a bank account or buy or lease a car.

Frank Morley, managing director, CorporateCare Relocation

“Our task is to take care of the personal needs of people moving to Cork for business,” he explains.

“We basically help relocating employees settle in to their new environment here in Ireland.

“Very often, the general reaction to Cork is very positive,” says Morley.

As part of the relocation service, he explains, he will often contact prospective new residents beforehand, to explain what Cork is like before they get there.

The advantages of living and working in the region are numerous — the city, he points out, is significantly less congested than capital cities such as Dublin, for example.

“We explain that a person is coming to a city with every amenity but one which does not have the congestion of expense of living in a capital city.”

The high standard of schools in the area is another plus.

“We also point to the standard of education in the area,” he says pointing to Cork’s highly rated third-level sector in the form of University College Cork and the Cork Institute of Technology.

Primary and second-level education is also strong, and, says Morley, once they become familiar with the system, many relocating employees and their families are very impressed by the standard of education and overall care of students in the region’s primary and second level schools.

And then there are the lifestyle and leisure opportunities offered by the region.

Cork’s very rich arts, culture and sporting heritage provides invaluable leisure, educational and sporting opportunities, he points out: “You can do everything here from soccer to swimming to golfing or hiking — it’s a great sporting region.”

And, although it is, in international terms, a relatively small city, Cork is culturally diverse with a very cosmopolitan population and lots of leisure opportunities in terms of the arts.

The shopping is pretty good too, as the region offers most of the major international brand names, while at the same time the renowned Cork friendliness is a big attraction.

“People relocating here also want to experience a different culture, so they want to experience what it’s like to be Irish and to live here and they’re very interested in the various aspects of Cork.

"We’re told that re-locating employees find Cork people very friendly.

"At work, for example, they discover that locals are very willing to share experiences and give advice and pointers to newcomers.”

A big attraction for new arrivals is the natural environment for which the Cork region, particularly the East of the county, which is now attracting large numbers of tourists under the Ireland’s Ancient East logo, and the West area of the county — which boasts the Wild Atlantic Way — is internationally renowned.

From a tourism point of view and in terms of scenery, exercise possibilities and excellent places to eat, Cork county offers a huge range of opportunities.

“Newcomers can visit somewhere as near as Kinsale or Clonakilty or Skibbereen for example, or savour the rugged beauties of the Sheeps Head and Allihies.”

Wherever they go, the feedback is generally hugely positive: “People are incredibly impressed by the unspoiled scenery and the beautiful, natural environment.”

On the downside, however, it is hard to deny the difficulty confronting anyone seeking accommodation in Cork.

It’s a situation that has been well flagged in the media generally — and which is reflected in other cities around the country, particularly Dublin, now that Ireland is experiencing full employment again.

So whether you’re seeking to buy or to rent, good quality affordable housing can often be difficult to find.

“The housing situation in Cork is extremely difficult at the moment, with little availability, in the market for people who are relocating and want to rent,” says Morley.

“However, we have a very good relationship with agents and auctioneers and in up to about 70% of cases we handle, we manage to find properties before they come on the market or are advertised — that is how we stay ahead of things.”

Towns like Ballincollig, Midleton, Kinsale and Cobh have a lot to offer in terms of good communities and schools and decent amenities, he says.

“Our general experience is that the majority of relocating employees are sad to leave when the time comes for them to return to their homelands.

“They find the Irish people very welcoming and also they find Cork very interesting in terms of population and outlook.

“There is a truly diverse mix in Cork. It’s very much an international city in terms of its population, background and outlook.

"On top of that this is a city which boasts a great diversity of culture, something which is a great strength.”