The last few years may have been boom times but one constituency has failed to reap any of the benefits, according to Councillor Kathleen Lynch of the Labour Party.
The Cork North Central councillor said her constituency suffers from a major lack of infrastructure, in spite of having three government TDs in office since the last election. Cllr Lynch, who is hoping to regain her Dáil seat, said health care is also a major issue.
She tells the story of a man in his 80s who takes care of his wife full time with just one hour of home help a day.
The Farranaree-based councillor said elderly people were more concerned about health care issues than the colour of people's skin.
Recent suggestions that Cork North Central is overpopulated with asylum-seekers were not unfounded, she insisted, but the controversy has served to deflect from the real issues in her constituency.
"Do you think that old man who takes care of his wife is worried about the colour of skin of the person next door?"
Politicians of all parties believe Cork North Central is going to be the cliff-hanger election constituency in the city.
Councillor Joe O'Callaghan, an Independent, says the battle for seats will be intense, with the controversy surrounding him and Fianna Fáil TD Noel O'Flynn, only serving to fan the flames.
Cllr O'Callaghan was expelled from the Labour Party following his remarks about denying automatic rights of citizenship to asylum-seekers. However, he is keen not to be seen to be just a one issue candidate, adding that health and crime are major issues in his constituency.
"Health is in a state of crisis. We have people who are paying ridiculous amounts of money to stay in nursing homes. Then there is crime and security. We are getting so acclimatised to crime. There is no respect for law, order or property."
Fianna Fáil TD Billy Kelleher said street crime is a major issue following serious assaults in the city which left two young men on life-support machines.
He said housing was another crucial issue in the constituency. He said Fianna Fáil was optimistic about its chances of keeping the three seats it won in Cork North Central in the last election.
"I don't think Fianna Fáil will be surrendering any seats. But we aren't taking it for granted. We will be going out campaigning aggressively."
Fine Gael TD Bernard Allen recently carried out a survey on the issues people are concerned about in his constituency with health winning out over personal safety and housing.
Mr Allen said recent derogatory remarks made by local politicians about asylum-seekers have served as camouflage for the Government's failure to deliver social services.
"Asylum-seekers are being used as whipping boys in this election. But the major issue in this election is the shortage of hospital beds. People are also concerned about drug use among teenagers and say there is a need for more drug treatment facilities in the city."
Mr Allen's new running mate Councillor Gerry Kelly, who is stepping in for retired Fine Gael TD Liam Burke, said the road structure in the north of the city needs to be radically overhauled. He said Cork has not received a fair crack of the whip in the national roads restoration scheme.
"Cork came 24th out of the 26 counties. Our roads are just atrocious. The Government has performed inadequately in this area." However, Fianna Fáil TD Dan Wallace says the Government has delivered on its commitment to Cork and points to increased funding for roads in the city.
The Blackpool bypass, he says, has eased traffic congestion to a considerable extent, with the Fianna Fáil Government also making major capital investments to hospitals in the city.
"The South Infirmary and Cork University Hospital (CUH) have developed considerably, with CUH in particular having new A&E and cardiac units on stream. Education is another issue which has been addressed in this constituency."
Fianna Fáil TD Noel O'Flynn said his party had achieved a considerable amount in Cork since the last election. He points to the new investment at Cork Airport, the initiation of the Cork Docklands project and enhanced infrastructure in the city as party success stories.
He said if re-elected to the Dáil he plans to be part of the development of new health and resource centres in Mayfield, Glanmire and Ballyvolane.
Progressive Democrats Councillor John Minihan claims public order issues are high on the agenda. The chemist shop owner said society had developed an over tolerance for drunken and disorderly behaviour.
Cllr Minihan said the development of a Garda reserve team would help to keep the city free from crime.
"I know so many parents who would prefer to be in a Garda reserve team than at home in bed worrying about whether their teenager is going to make it back safely. I think it would be a novel way of assisting gardaí in the city."
Sinn Féin Councillor Jonathan O'Brien says health is the main issue on the doorstep as he canvasses throughout the constituency.
He is confident about his chances of winning a seat in the constituency and says Fianna Fáil would have to pull off a miracle to retain their three seats.
"There is traditionally a left -wing seat in Cork North Central and I think we are the party that best represents those voters in the area. I think we can significantly increase our votes in this constituency."
He says his party won't be playing the "racist card".
"That is not what I am about. The race issue would never have been a major issue if comments hadn't been made by certain politicians."