Call on council to pilot housing transfer scheme in Cork

Cork County Council should pilot a scheme similar to choice based letting (CBL) for housing transfer applicants whereby mutual swaps could be facilitated within the county, a local councillor has said.

Independent councillor Ben Dalton O’Sullivan raised a motion at the full council meeting this week, which aims to shorten the waiting list for transfer applicants and the overall housing list.

CBL is an online system used by local authorities, where eligible applicants on the housing waiting list can express interest in available council properties in their preferred areas.

As of September 2025, Cork County Council had 6,726 applicants on its housing support waiting list.

Mr Dalton O’Sullivan told The Echo that he feels Cork County council has a duty to do all they can under the area of housing.

“I am asking Cork County Council to pioneer and lead out on a trial system which could potentially significantly reduce the housing list by satisfying the needs of some of our transfer applicants.

“I am not asking for a new system to be implemented.

“This facility already exists, but the onus is on the applicants to identify themselves.

“I am asking that Cork County Council would start identifying files to facilitate cases internally.”

He added: “Every swap facilitated, resolves two cases.

“It increases our allocation figures by two and reduces our housing list by two.

“I think this has potential. It will certainly resolve a lot of cases and increase efficiency.

“The system of putting transfer applicants in with all other applicants has potential to be streamlined and made more efficient.

“We have the chance here in Cork County Council to lead out on this.”