Clare County Council is reassuring that jobs will be protected under a new deal which will result in the outsourcing of retail, food and beverage services at its newly acquired Shannon Heritage sites.
As part of a corporate restructuring of Shannon Heritage DAC, the local authority will be appointing two specialist operators for the services at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Craggaunowen, Knappogue Castle and the retail unit at the Cliffs of Moher Experience.
The Council has confirmed that all 66 full-time and part-time employees will be transferred to the new operators in April 2024 and that staff pay and conditions will be protected under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations.
A tender process is due to get underway in December, with the sccuessful companies to commence operating in May next year.
However, SIPTU Divisional Organiser Rachel Keane has been telling Clare FM’s Daragh Dolan that staff need urgent clarity on the future of their positions.
Statement From Clare County Council:
As part of a corporate restructuring of Shannon Heritage DAC, Clare County Council has confirmed it will be appointing two specialist retail, food and beverage operators for its newly acquired visitor attractions.
A key requirement of the operating conditions will be that all future service providers must support local suppliers and producers in Clare.
All 66 employees, including 31 Full Time and 35 Part Time workers, will be transferred to the new operators in April 2024.
Staff pay and conditions are protected under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, also known as TUPE.
This restructuring follows the tried and tested business model at the Cliffs of Moher Experience where specialist retail and food operators are already in place.
Two tender processes for retail and the provision catering services, including banqueting food preparation and food and beverage operations, will commence in December 2023 at the Shannon Heritage sites.
It is anticipated the successful companies will commence operating in May 2024.
Clare County Council’s ongoing commitment to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Craggaunowen, Knappogue Castle and the retail unit at the Cliffs of Moher Experience is reflected in a €14.7m capital investment being made in 2023 and 2024.
The Local Authority, supported by government, has already invested more than €4m in Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Craggaunowen, Knappogue Castle and the retail unit at the Cliffs of Moher since the Shannon Heritage properties were transferred from The Shannon Airport Group in May 2023, while €2.9m has been invested in upgrading the Vandeleur Walled Garden and Visitor Centre in Kilrush.
An additional €7.8m has been earmarked for investment during 2024 in the Clare County Council owned portfolio of attractions, which includes Inis Cealtra (Holy Island Visitor Experience) in Mountshannon, the Cliffs of Moher Experience and Loop Head Light house.
