Cork City Council to Appoint Dedicated Autism-Friendly City Officer

Cork City Council has announced plans to appoint a dedicated Autism-Friendly City Officer, as part of a three-year strategy to position Cork as one of Ireland's leading autism-inclusive cities.

The announcement was made by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennehy, during a courtesy visit to City Hall by Adam Harris, Founder and CEO of AsIAm, Ireland's national autism charity. The visit marked the signing of a service level agreement between the charity and the local authority.

The newly created role forms a central pillar of Cork City's three-year Autism-Friendly City Plan, which aims to embed inclusion across public services, community life, and local infrastructure. The position will be supported by Cork City Council and delivered in partnership with AsIAm.

The Autism-Friendly City Officer will lead the Cork City Autism-Friendly Steering Committee, coordinating a city-wide programme of initiatives designed to remove barriers and improve everyday experiences for autistic people and their families. The role will involve supporting businesses, services, and community groups to become autism-friendly, delivering training and practical supports, and tracking progress against clear inclusion targets.

The initiative builds on Cork's existing AsIAm Autism-Friendly Town designation, representing a shift from recognition to long-term, systemic change.

Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy said:

"The appointment of an Autism-Friendly City Officer demonstrates our commitment to not only maintaining but accelerating our progress towards becoming a truly inclusive city. Through this three-year plan, we will strengthen local partnerships, expand autism-friendly initiatives, and ensure that inclusion is embedded across how our city operates. This is about creating a Cork where autistic people and their families feel supported, understood, and fully part of community life."

Adam Harris said:

"Today's announcement represents real momentum. By investing in a dedicated Autism-Friendly City Officer, Cork City Council is taking a leadership role in addressing the barriers autistic people face every day. This partnership allows us to move beyond awareness and into meaningful action — improving access, shaping services, and building a city that works better for everyone."