Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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9. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of his response to the planned one-month suspension of flights from Knock airport; the way in which he will protect jobs and ensure the viability of the airport throughout the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35805/20]

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the €6 million in funding that was announced for regional airports. Why, however, has a derogation not being sought from the EU for this funding, as was done in respect of the €22 million funding allocated to Shannon and Cork airports? Has the Department checked that this funding meets the EU state aid rules under the temporary framework and can we get a breakdown of that funding for the airports and the associated timeline?

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The impacts of Covid-19 on the aviation industry continue to be devastating, with knock-on effects for our domestic tourism and regional economies, particularly in the west. This has been further compounded by Ryanair’s most recent decision to cut its winter capacity at Ireland West Airport Knock and to cancel all services for four weeks, from the end of next week until mid-December. Ryanair made this decision on a commercial basis in light of poor forward bookings for the period in question. It also forms part of a wider move by the airline to cut its capacity on flights right across Europe. That does not detract, however, from the impacts that this is having on Knock as well as Cork, Kerry and Shannon airports. However, I assure the Deputy that the continued viability of these airports is very important to this Government. Ireland West Airport Knock will continue to receive ongoing Exchequer support as part of the regional airports programme. This year, the airport has received capital support of more than €1 million and is also eligible to apply for operational supports from an available budget of €3.5 million.

In keeping with this Government’s priorities for regional development, I expect to publish a new regional airports programme for 2021 to 2025 in the coming weeks. This will give funding certainty to Knock airport over a five-year timeframe, helping the airport to remain viable as it transitions through the various phases of recovery from Covid. The Government has confirmed its commitment to the continuation of the programme in budget 2021 by securing more than €21 million for airports such as this. I am also pleased to refer to the additional supports agreed by Government this week as part of the revised €80 million funding package for Irish aviation. As part of this package, in addition to the €21 million secured for next year under the regional airports programme, Government intends to make a further €6 million available to Ireland's smallest airports, including Knock. The funding package will also include a €20 million airport charges rebate scheme for January to March 2021, which will support the retention of core connectivity. I will return to the Deputy's other questions.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the Minister of State's commitment and her outlining of the plan, and I look forward to seeing it. She did not answer my question regarding why the EU derogation was not sought for the regional airports and if it has been checked that the €6 million in funding comes within the temporary framework. It is important that this be done. Although the money has been allocated, we do not have certainty concerning the temporary framework, or in respect of the breakdown of the funding and when the airports can expect to get that money. Can some of the funding to which the Minister of State just referred be used for testing? Testing is now an integral part of the survival of regional airports. The costs being mentioned are of concern to many passengers. Is funding available within the allocation she mentioned to subsidise testing?

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The €6 million announced this week for our regional airports will be administered by the Department of Transport, which has begun the process of engaging with the European Commission regarding state aid rules. Ireland is an island nation and I do not have to explain to the Deputy or anyone here the importance of core connectivity. I am very hopeful that will be successful. It will then be up to the regional airports to apply for that funding through the Department.

Turning to the question of testing, as I outlined earlier, the DAA will be opening drive-through testing facilities at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports. That will done through the private sector, and the private sector will also facilitate that testing across the country for airports such as Knock. The testing will be for anyone requiring such a test in advance of flying to another country or for those coming here from red or orange-listed countries who need to take a test within five days of arrival.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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I would appreciate if the Minster of State would give me a written answer regarding the derogation and why that was not done. It is important that we understand that. I would also like her to give me a written update regarding the correspondence on the temporary framework and if it meets the criteria. Making announcements without having that information just causes uncertainty, and God knows we have enough uncertainty at this time with everything that is happening. That is particularly the case for regional airports.

Regarding testing, I am concerned because Kerry Airport has mentioned a cost of €70 and Ireland West Airport Knock has referred to €140. I am concerned about the procurement processes in respect of private providers and the costs, and the differentiation in those costs. I ask that another look be given to those regional airports, in case there might be a line of funding somewhere that could be used to subsidise the testing. I do not want passengers to be in a situation where they cannot afford to come home because the cost of testing is prohibitive.

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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There is eligibility in respect of state aid rules where airports have suffered damages due to the impact of Covid-19. It is clear and obvious to us that regional airports, such as Knock, have been severely impacted by Covid-19. It is in the context that we are engaging with the European Commission. The Deputy can be assured of the certainty around that and the importance of maintaining our core connectivity. That is the reason that the Government this week provided €6 million, in addition to the €21.3 million allocated, to our regional airports.

Turning to testing, again, that will be provided by the private sector. The polymerase chain reaction, PCR, test is the gold standard in this regard. It will be rolled out by the private sector. As more capacity and technology comes online and as the uptake increases, that will reduce the cost. The cost of the PCR test is considerable now, however. As the Deputy may be aware, the National Virus Reference Laboratory, NVRL, is also looking at other testing technologies, such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification, LAMP, tests, which may be significantly cheaper than the PCR test. If those types of test are validated and become available, they could also be options for passengers.