Cork to see surge in population as city anticipates thousands of new jobs
Cork career opportunities: Cork’s new jobs will range from manufacturing, engineering and life sciences to education, health and retail. Photo: iStock
Cork is preparing for a surge in job creation, writes , head of Cork Business Association City Centre and MD of Butler O’Neill Total Planning Solutions
There’s no denying that a vibrant construction sector is a sign of success. New office spaces, homes, a vibrant hospitality sector and access to leisure facilities are the lifeblood of a thriving city.
They provide the infrastructure needed to a growing population and attract investment. For Cork, this is a moment of immense potential. The recent surge in city-centre developments is particularly encouraging, as it aligns with the vision of a compact, sustainable urban environment.
With walking, cycling, and the proposed light rail system, Cork has the opportunity to become a model for sustainable living — not just in Ireland, but globally.
However, the reality is that growth on this scale doesn’t come without growing pains. Cork, like the rest of Ireland, is grappling with an acute housing crisis. National housing targets of 40,000 units per year are already being missed, and Cork is no exception.
The city’s rapid office development is outpacing the delivery of homes, creating a mismatch that could undermine its progress. The Cork Business Association (CBA) has called for a system that ensures every new office desk space granted is matched by at least one residential bed space.
This is not just a sensible proposal — it is a necessary one which may require national intervention [tax incentives] to achieve. Without adequate housing, Cork risks becoming a city of opportunity for some and exclusion for many.
Another critical piece of the puzzle is public transport. The CBA’s emphasis on the need for reliable, frequent, and efficient services is ongoing. A high-quality public transport system is the backbone of any sustainable city.
The promised €1.5 billion investment in Cork’s transport infrastructure — the largest outside Dublin in the history of the state — is a welcome commitment, but promises alone are not enough, and delivery is key. Only when public transport becomes a viable alternative to the private car can Cork truly achieve its sustainability goals.
Cork’s growth is a testament to its appeal as a place to live, work, and invest. The city is poised to become a beacon of progress, but this will require careful planning and bold action.
Housing shortages and transport inadequacies cannot be allowed to stifle its potential. The CBA’s vision for a balanced, sustainable city is one that should be embraced by all stakeholders — developers, policymakers, and citizens alike.
As Cork embarks on this exciting journey, it must that growth is not just about numbers. It’s about creating a city that works for everyone. The foundations are being laid, but the real test will be ensuring that Cork’s rise is not just rapid, but also equitable and sustainable. The future is bright, but only if we get it right.
For advice on the Cork jobs market, and for insights on companies currently recruiting in Cork, see:
- Cork Business Association (CBA) is an engaged, connected and committed representative of the business community in Cork City, ing since 1957.
- Butler O’Neill is a Cork based planning consultancy providing expert planning advice and producing well rounded spatial strategies to the public, private and community sectors.
Cork city and county are set to become a jobseeker’s paradise as the region will see thousands of new jobs being created from now to 2040.
The ambitious draft development plan for Cork aims to make the city a major economic hub to ease pressure on Dublin.
The services of recruitment agencies, Cork Business Association and others will play a critical role in matching people with the wealth of new jobs that will be created in Cork in the coming years.
These jobs will include manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, engineering, ICT and life sciences, as well as everything from education and retail to hospitality to leisure services.
National and local authority plans are already progressing, boosting the services needed to make living and working in Cork attractive to the tens of thousands of people who will take on these new jobs.
Cork’s 'Our City, Our Future' development plan will see €3.5bn Government funding poured into Cork over the next 20 years.
Cork's 140-hectare docklands has been singled out as the "jewel in the crown" among European urban renewal projects. More than €1.8bn in Irish Exchequer funding will be allocated.
A series of plans around housing, public transport, education, health and other services are being developed as the city’s population is set to soar from 211,000 to 336,000 by 2040 — the near 125,000 new citizens will represent a 60% increase in population.
All of these strategic changes are already underway. Cork has seen its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) jobs growth rise from 21,454 in 2010 to 43,863 in 2020.
Billions of euro in central Government funding will be injected into housing and transport plans for the city. Some 20,000 new homes will be created in the city and its suburbs from 2022 to 2028, in addition to 31,000 new jobs.
Footfall in Cork city centre is expected to increase by 250% while the population is projected to increase by 125,000 by 2040.
Environmental targets are also crucial in the plan, with a decarbonising zone mapped out. Greenhouse gas emissions will be set targets to reduce by 7% per annum in these zones from 2021-2030, a 51% reduction over the decade.
Some €1.8bn in funding has already been ringfenced by central Government to invest in the city, and up to €3.5bn is also earmarked for the city over 20 years as part of Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS).
When devising the plan, more than 100 cities were studied internationally, with lessons learned in particular from thriving cities like Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Bilbao.
For any further advice on the Cork jobs market, and for companies currently recruiting in Cork, visit:
www.mcbreenenvironmental.ie/careers
