Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 December 2020
166. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport the amount of the announced €2.6 million of funding for Shannon Heritage Group sites that has been remitted to the group; the amount that remains to be remitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40892/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra175. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport the stage the announced review into Shannon Group is at; when he expects this review to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40893/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra176. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if consideration is being given into the ownership of the heritage sites within the current review; if there is an option of a new owner being discussed such as the local authority or OPW; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40894/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra177. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if there is intention to open the Shannon Heritage sites for the months of January through to April 2021, restrictions permitting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40895/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra178. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport the reason he is of the view that without the completed review, that Shannon Group are best placed to manage the airport, commercial properties and heritage sites and in effect continue at the same capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40896/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra179. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport the reason he committed to undertake a review of the Shannon Group company in the first instance; the purpose of this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40897/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra180. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if he will review communications with all relevant bodies and the staff at Shannon Heritage sites; and the allowances he will make for the voices of staff to be heard within the ongoing review. [40898/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179 and 180 together.
I would like to thank the Deputy for her questions in relation to Shannon Group, one of which has been forwarded for my attention by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
As we are all too well aware Covid-19 is having a devastating impact across our economy with the aviation and tourism sectors particularly affected. Given Shannon Group operates in both these sectors, the impacts on the Group, in terms of its future strategic and financial outlook, have been severe.
Taking these factors into account, together with the importance of Shannon Airport to the Mid-West region, I considered it appropriate that my Department would undertake a review on the future viability of Shannon Group, including restructuring measures, financial supports and any other measures that may be necessary and appropriate including in relation to Shannon Heritage. I intend to revert to Government with recommendations on this issue in the coming weeks.
The Deputy should be aware that prior to Covid-19 Shannon Group had been delivering on its commercial mandate and improving profitability. Since separation from daa, passenger numbers at the Airport had increased every year until 2019 when Shannon was particularly badly impacted by the global grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX and more recently in relation to the impacts of COVID. In recent years visitor numbers have increased at the tourist attractions operated by Shannon Heritage and the Group recorded and continues to record strong growth in its commercial property company.
In relation to Shannon Heritage, as I have previously advised, having considered the importance of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and King John's Castle to the local economy and the region, from both a tourism and jobs perspective and given the unprecedented impact of Covid-19, a commitment was made to provide the incremental costs required to ensure that these two landmark tourist attractions, which were due to close at the end of August, could remain open to the end of 2020. However, since that commitment was given, new restrictions introduced to control COVID-19 meant that the sites had to close in October. My Department is engaging with Shannon Group on the detail and conditions attaching to the funding necessary to provide the incremental costs of keeping the sites open to end 2020. In that regard I understand that there will be an outdoor Christmas tourism offering at Bunratty Castle and Folkpark in line with public health restrictions.
The position in relation to the opening of Shannon Heritage sites in 2021 is a matter for Shannon Group which operates its business on a commercial basis. I also understand that Shannon Group has engaged at all times with its staff on the issues and difficulties being faced by the Company.
Finally, in recognition of the devastating impacts of Covid on Shannon Group, Government is providing almost €30m in supports to the Group in 2020 and 2021. I can assure the Deputy that Government recognises the strategic importance of Shannon Group to the economy of the Midwest region and indeed nationally and is confident that the supports provided to the Group will provide a solid financial foundation for the Group in 2021 and position it for recovery in the future.
