Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1010: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the State aid that is provided to regional airports and airlines to assist in bringing increases in numbers of tourists to the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40933/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In accordance with EU regulations, my Department provides subvention to two airlines for the provision of scheduled air services on the Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes between Donegal and Dublin and Kerry and Dublin. The contracts for the provision of these services were awarded following an EU public tendering process. The contracts are for the three year period commencing on 3 November 2011 and involve an average subvention of €7.6 million per annum. These links, serving the two most remote regional airports, are expected to make an important contribution towards balanced regional development.

As an Island destination, direct convenient and competitive access services are important for inbound tourism. While the tourism agencies do not provide State aid to airlines or airports, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland are committed to working with air and sea carriers, airports and ferry ports and local tourism interests around the island to help maintain and develop our vital network of routes and services to facilitate overseas visits, by case-making and co-operative campaigns.

Tourism Ireland engages in co-operative marketing activity with carriers serving the regions from key markets overseas, highlighting ease of direct access, great value fares and inclusive packages. In Britain, Tourism Ireland focuses on a region-to-region approach to capitalise on access links between specific areas of Britain and the regions in Ireland. Tourism Ireland's co-operative marketing campaigns received a boost last autumn with an additional €9 million tourism marketing campaign supported by revenues from the air travel tax and involving matching funds from carriers.

In addition to the above funding, Exchequer support is provided to the regional airports under the Operational Subvention Scheme and the Capital Expenditure Grant Scheme.