Councillor: Cork council needs 10 extra staff, not 1

Government permission for Cork County Council to employ one extra person has been described by a Labour Party councillor as “absolutely disgraceful”.

Noel McCarthy rounded on his colleague, Environment Minister Alan Kelly, who had lifted a staffing embargo to allow local authorities employ 200 people to tackle the country’s social housing crisis.

Northern division councillor Mr McCrathy said the Cork council — the country’s largest local authority — should have been allocated at least 10 places instead of a sole appointment.