Martin Davoren, senior social inclusion specialist, Cork City Council, Adam Harris, CEO of AsIAm, and Rebecca Loughry, Director of Services, Corporate, Community and Cultural Affairs Directorate, Cork City Council, chatting outside City Hall in Cork City to mark the signing of a service level agreement between the charity and the local authority that will lead to the appointment of an autism friendly city officer.

Cork City Council to appoint dedicated autism-support officer

Steven Fox

Published: Wed 29 Apr 2026, 1:48 PM

Last updated: Wed 29 Apr 2026, 3:11 PM

Cork City Council is to appoint a dedicated Autism-Friendly City Officer, in an effort to position Cork as one of Ireland’s leading autism-inclusive cities.

The role will form a part of the council’s three-year Autism-Friendly City Plan, which is designed 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 AslAm.

The officer will lead and coordinate the work of the Cork City Autism-Friendly Steering Committee, driving a “structured, city-wide programme of initiatives aimed at removing barriers and improving everyday experiences for autistic people and their families”.

This phase will culminate in Cork’s designation as an Autism-Friendly Town and represents a move from recognition to systemic, long-term change, with the goal of establishing Cork as a model for inclusive urban development.

Over the next three years, the officer will coordinate cross-sector collaboration through the steering committee; support businesses, services, and community groups to become autism-friendly, and deliver training, guidance, and practical supports.

They will also promote awareness and understandings across the city, and track the progress of the plan against clear inclusion targets.Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy said that the move was a “landmark moment for Cork city”.“The appointment demonstrates our commitment to not only maintaining, but accelerating our progress towards becoming a truly inclusive city. This is about creating a Cork where autistic people and their families feel supported, understood, and fully part of community life,” he said.

Adam Harris, CEO of AsIAm, said that the announcement represented “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,” he said.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.