Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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121. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the transfer of the heritage sites in County Clare to Clare County Council; if there is a timeline for same; and if his Department can ensure appropriate communication is in place to ensure a smooth handover and that staff feel they have security of tenure. [48250/21]

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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122. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans that are being put in place for the transfer of heritage sites to Clare County Council; if there a timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48251/21]

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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123. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration regarding the financial buffering that was carried out by a group (details supplied) is provided to the heritage sites in terms of a winter debt to offset the low level of footfall in winter months; and if the oversight of the Department will commit to maintaining this financial arrangement. [48252/21]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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124. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the process of the transfer of the Shannon Heritage sites to the local authority including a progress report and a timeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48492/21]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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125. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the engagement that has taken place between Shannon Heritage, the local authorities and other relevant stakeholders with those who hold leases at these sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48493/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 to 125, inclusive, together.

I would like to thank Deputy Wynne and Deputy Munster for their questions in relation to Shannon Group and the transfer of Shannon Heritage sites to the relevant local authorities.

In terms of the timeline, I can advise the Deputies that Shannon Group is engaging with the relevant Local Authorities with a view to reaching an agreement on the transfer of the Shannon Heritage business by the end of year. Any such transfer is subject to agreement between the parties, completion of the required due diligence and provision of the applicable consents of the Ministers for Transport and Public Expenditure and Reform and the agreement of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. Before any possible transfer is executed, it remains the responsibility of Shannon Group to operate and manage the Shannon Heritage business in line with its commercial mandate, fiduciary best practice and with awareness of the Group’s accountability for the proper management of the Company.

In compliance with State aid rules, funding on an exceptional basis was provided to Shannon Heritage at the end of December to cover the incremental costs incurred when the sites were open during the winter of 2020. The funding provided is in addition to the economy-wide supports Government has put in place including the TWSS/EWSS, rates waiver and COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), all of which have been availed of by Shannon Heritage.

The position in relation to the opening of Shannon Heritage sites is a matter for Shannon Group. In this regard, Shannon Group has advised my Department that given the impacts of COVID-19 (lack of international traffic, low level of domestic visitors) and the resultant significant losses, it is not viable to keep the heritage sites open in line with its pre-COVID-19 operating model. In this regard, Government has been informed that, in order to mitigate the losses incurred, Shannon Heritage has made a decision to operate on a seasonal basis.

With regard to the transfer of the sites to local authorities and issues in relation to staffing, industrial relations matters are in the first instance a matter for the Group, staff and relevant staff representatives. I understand that Shannon Group are engaging with the staff of Shannon Heritage with regard to the transfer of the sites. This engagement has included an onsite briefing by the CEO and management, Group briefings and also regular Union meetings as well as continued engagement on a day-to-day basis.

Regarding the matter of lease holders and engagement with Shannon Group, this is a matter for the Group as part of its normal business activities. On the Deputy’s behalf, I have however requested further information from Shannon Group on this issue and have been informed that Shannon Group has communicated with all lease holders advising them that Shannon Heritage will continue to operate Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and that there will be no change to the leaseholders relationship with Shannon Heritage with the exception that Clare County Council will own Shannon Heritage once the transfer has been completed.