Staffing crisis is disrupting council services

CORK county manager Maurice Moloney has said that a Government embargo on creating jobs in the local authority is causing serious problems.

Mr Moloney made his comments following a meeting in County Hall at which a number of public representatives claimed the embargo was damaging the efficient delivery of services and bringing increased pressure on an already hard-pressed workforce.

“This embargo is a very serious problem. We have to find ways around it by recruiting staff on a contract basis. Certainly there is a problem throughout our organisation and we’re carrying out a review on it,” Mr Moloney said.

Noel Collins (Ind) pointed out that the population was rapidly increasing and creating a further burden on all services.

“There’s simply too much pressure on services. Were it not for voluntary effort, FÁS schemes etc, it would be much worse. Services are fast deteriorating due to lack of resources. The enforcement section of the planning department is in particular need (of more employees) and is under immense pressure,” Cllr Collins said. He added that additional staff were also required for libraries.

“Local government reform has done nothing for us. Have we too many chiefs and not enough indians?”

Cllr Danny Crowley (FF) claimed west Cork was suffering more than other regions. “We have an area engineer’s office in Castletownbere where we have eight vacancies. Staff have retired or left because of ill health,” Cllr Crowley said.

Cllr Tomás Ryan (FG) said the embargo was installed in the 1980s and it was high time it was lifted.

“Cork is expanding all the time and all departments are under pressure. Every other organisation is expanding and taking on more staff. Our staff are frustrated,” Cllr Ryan said.

Cllr Sean Sherlock (Lab) said people in the county would make a link between the lack of services and the lack of council employees.

“Our funding only increased by €3 million last year. You wouldn’t buy a shebeen in Cork city for that. Fianna Fáil and the PDs have treated local authorities like poor relations,” he said.

Cllr Kevin Murphy (FG) claimed there were too many engineers stuck in offices and not enough workers out on the roads.

“In almost every single department there is gross under-staffing. Every single office is under pressure. In 2005 it’s a shameful situation,” Cllr Murphy said.

Cllr Kevin O’Keeffe (FF) added that staff shortages created bad public relations.

It was agreed to write to the Department of the Environment and Taoiseach requesting the embargo be lifted immediately.