A government decision on whether they will fund the year-round opening of Bunratty Castle is expected in the coming days.
Shannon Heritage is seeking close on four million euro to allow Bunratty and King John’s Castle to open beyond the end of this month.
SIPTU says up to 60 full-time jobs are under threat if the sites aren’t kept open, while jobs will also be threatened in other local tourism operations.
In the aftermath of further talks with Shannon Group yesterday, SIPTU has said that an impasse has been reached in efforts to keep Bunratty and King John’s Castles open beyond the end of August.
Up to 60 full-time jobs are under threat, if a 4 million euro application for funding isn’t granted approval by Government.
Shannon Group, which runs the sites, remains in ongoing discussions with SIPTU and government representatives, but it’s CEO has warned that without this funding, they’ll have no option but to push ahead with the planned closures.
This afternoon, Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe has said a file has reached the Department of Public Expenditure, that it is now being examined, and that a decision is due in the coming days.
Seperately, the Meelick politican has received correspondance from Transport Minister Eamon Ryan who has hinted that funding will be made available for Shannon Group, but Deputy Crowe says it is fast approaching ‘crunch time’
Shannon Group met with representatives from SIPTU yesterday to discuss progress being made, but the union says they remain in the dark.
SIPTU Rep Martin O’Rourke has described the Government’s inaction so far as a slap in the face for the entire hospitality sector.
He feels staff are being treated very unfairly.
