Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The aviation programme has an allocation this year of €26 million, representing 2% of the Vote. The largest element of the programme is the regional airports programme at €12.6 million. Funding is also earmarked to cover costs associated with our membership of Eurocontrol, costs incurred by the Irish Aviation Authority for exempt services and subscriptions to international organisations.

The key priority for investment in the aviation programme over the short to medium term is to support the four regional airports - Donegal, Knock, Kerry and Waterford - for safety and security related projects and activities under the Regional Airports Programme 2015-2019. This is also a key priority in the programme for Government. This year's allocation for the regional airports programme represents an increase of 5% or €600,000 on last year.

At this point of the year we would expect to see this allocation fully spent, given the level of demands on the programme.