168. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport if a solution has been found to facilitate the transfer of Shannon Heritage sites to the responsibility of Clare County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59143/22]

I would like to thank the Deputy for this question.

Government appreciates the important role of Shannon Heritage to the economy of the Midwest region and, in terms of Ireland’s built heritage, recognises that the heritage sites operated by Shannon Heritage are of intrinsic historical and cultural value.

It is considered that the proposed transfer of the Shannon Heritage business and sites in County Clare to Clare County Council is the best way to secure the longer-term viability of the business and the interests of Shannon Heritage employees.

As the Deputy is aware, the Department of Transport established an inter-departmental working group on the transfer of Shannon Heritage in May 2022. Representatives from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Office of Public Works, and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media participate in this group.

The Group has held four meetings to date. The inter-departmental group identified a number of ways the transfer could be supported, and a further meeting of the Group has been scheduled in the coming week.

I can advise you that bilateral engagement between departments and stakeholders is also continuing with a view to progressing the transfer as soon as possible.