SIPTU members protest at Bunratty over failure to transfer Shannon Heritage tourism sites to Clare County Council

SIPTU members working for Shannon Heritage protested at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park on Friday, 28th October, to highlight the continued failure of the Government to announce the funding required to facilitate the transfer of Shannon Heritage tourism sites to Clare County Council. SIPTU Organiser, Rachel Keane, said: “Our members are extremely worried about their future. They have been waiting since June 2022 for the interdepartmental working group to approve the necessary multi-million Euro funding to ensure a smooth and successful transfer of Shannon Heritage tourism sites to Clare County Council. All stakeholders have been working diligently on this project since 2021 and the Council is ready to take over. The only missing component is the funding.” SIPTU member, Dolores Broderick, said: “For the third year in a row our members are facing uncertainty. These heritage sites could face closure again in January and we will be out of work, again,” SIPTU member, Caroline O’Sullivan said: “Every day, we hear of workers fleeing the hospitality and tourism sector, I don’t blame them. Our sites have seen record numbers of visitors this season. We should be excited for our future, but we have never seen such low morale on site. We are again calling on all our local politicians to represent our voices with the Government, and expedite the funding required for the transfer.”