Council may have to make cost-cuts at museum

KERRY County Council could be forced to sell some of its assets to offset the running costs of some of the town’s leading tourist attractions.

With the troubled famine ship, the Jeanie Johnston, set to cost the council €235,000 a year for the next 15 years, the council could be forced to make cost-cuts at the loss-making Kerry County Museum.

Some tour operators have reported problems in getting bookings at the museum for this year, but Tralee Mayor Johnny Wall insisted yesterday that money had been made available to keep it open.

However, it looks as if the council will have to reduce opening hours, at least, in order to cut losses. In its budget for 2003, the council has set aside €225,000 for the museum, a drop of €175,000 on last year’s €400,000 subvention.

Town clerk John Breen said the council simply could not afford to pay any more this year.

Last year, 69,000 people visited the award-winning museum, but management consultants have asked whether the council is the appropriate body to continue running and investing in the museum.

“The council is now merely funding an increasing operational deficit, rather than serving as an investment to prolong the life cycle of the museum,” said BDO Simpson Xavier, consultants.

Among the proposals being put forward by the consultants is that the museum be kept open only for a six-month period, including the tourist season, or that employees be reduced and that the shop and café be franchised.

“Strong leadership will be required at all levels and a number of tough decisions must be taken, particularly with regard to operational, personnel and other staffing issues,” urged the consultants.

Tralee people are already up in arms over a proposal by the council to increase bin collection charges from €252 to €380, amid claims that these charges are being hiked up to make up the deficit of the Jeanie Johnston and the museum.

Cllr Ted Fitzgerald suggested that the council sell some of its assets as a once-off means of solving its financial problems. He believed the council’s tourism activities had “distorted” the financial situation.

However, Cllr Tommy Foley said the council would be failing in its duties if it sold any of its assets. The council, which has not yet adopted its 2003 budget, is to consider recommendations for the museum at a meeting next week.