Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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122. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on any recent meetings of the Shannon Heritage Working Group. [11033/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for this question. The Inter-departmental working group met on 23 January, 22 February and 20 April this year.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a significant financial package has now been agreed to support the transfer of Shannon Heritage to Clare County Council. This financial package which includes up to €6m in Exchequer funding in 2023, was noted by Government on the 18 April and conveyed to Clare County Council on the same date. Clare County Council will also be able to for funding under funding streams across a number of Departments in future years as part of the annual estimates process.

A special meeting of Clare County Council was convened on 24 April, where the Elected Members formally resolved and approved the transfer of Shannon Heritage and associated Clare tourism sites from the Shannon Airport Group to the Council.

I would like to acknowledge the support of government colleagues and those departments represented on the inter-departmental group who brought this package of support together to facilitate the transfer. I would also like to acknowledge the significant work undertaken by Clare County Council and the Shannon Airport Group in advancing the transfer. I understand that the remaining technical details of the transfer are currently being concluded between both parties with a view to the transfer being successfully effected this month. This will allow the Council to benefit in full from the anticipated busy summer period which lies ahead for the tourism industry.