Council closes offices and makes changes to services

FOLLOWING the imposition of tighter controls to help further stem the spread of COVID-19, Cork County Council has announced the introduction of sweeping changes to its operations.

While the authority has reiterated it will continue to provide essential services and deal with emergency situations, its offices have now closed their doors to the public for the foreseeable future.

Cork County Council chief executive Tim Lucey stressed the more than 120 local authority services and a full list of contacts is available online at www.corkcoco.ie. Queries can also be taken by phone on 021 427 6891, by posts and by email.

“In light of the most recent measures announced by An Taoiseach, Cork County Council has reviewed its services, to ensure that while we join the national effort to fight the spread of this virus, key public services and critical supports remain available to the people of Cork County,” said Mr Lucey.

While the council will continue to provide homeless, traveller, social work and Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) services as normal, other services such as maintenance, applications/allocations, Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS)/leasing queries and call-outs for anti-social behaviour will only be available in emergency situations.

Council tenants in receipt of HAP/RAS seeking a rent reduction due to loss of earnings or employment due to COVID-19 should scan or post confirmation of their reduced income from either their employer or the Department of Employment Affairs to the authority.

HAP/RAS tenants can email hap@corkcoco.ie or post to HAP/RAS, Housing Section, Floor 4, Cork County Council, Carrigrohane Road, Cork, T12 R2N. Cork County Council tenants can contact rentassessment@ corkcoco.ie or post to the Rent Assessment Unit, Cork County Council Offices, Kent St., Clonakilty, Co. Cork, P85 X375.

Local authority housing Loan borrowers seeking a reduction or freeze on mortgage repayments due to loss of income relating to Covid 19, should direct their queries to the Housing Loans Collection Unit on (021) 4285262, email housingloanscollection@ corkcoco.ie or by post to Housing Loans Collection Unit, Floor 5 Extension, County Hall, Cork, T12R2NC.

While the motor tax office at the Model Farm Road is closed to the public, the online service at www.motortax.ie remains in operation and applications can also be made through the post. Any queries can also be made via email at motortax@corkcoco.ie.

Emergency call outs relating to the upkeep and maintenance of the county road network will be facilitated, while the council’s scheduled winter roads maintenance programme will continue together with essential repairs to public lighting & traffic lights and the emptying of public bins.

Cork County Council’s planning department will continue to accept and validate files and all cases can be viewed by following the planning link at www.corkcoco.ie.