Minister: Cork County Council must 'get the finger out' if it needs vacant housing officers

Junior minister Kieran O’Donnell was responding in the Dáil when Cork East TD David Stanton said he was 'amazed' the local authority had not applied for the funding

Minister of state for local government Kieran O’Donnell told the Dáil the onus is on local authorities to make the case for funding for vacant housing officers. File picture

A Government minister has questioned Cork County Council’s failure to apply for more vacant property officers, despite funding being available and its chief executive saying one is needed in every town.

Minister of state for local government Kieran O’Donnell said the council needs to “get the finger out” and apply for more staff where needed.