Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 506: To ask the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to improve air access into the Border midlands and western, BMW, region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14940/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department supports the operation of public service obligation, PSO, air services. In July 2005, I announced the award of contracts for the provision of PSO services from 2005 to 2008 on routes linking Dublin with the regional airports in Galway, Sligo, Donegal and Knock in the BMW region. The total maximum contracted subvention for the operation of these particular routes is €29 million over the three-year contract term.

Under the Transport 21 investment framework, a total of €100 million will be available towards safety related infrastructure and development projects at all the regional airports over the next ten years and a new capital expenditure grant scheme is being finalised for this purpose.

Under the marketing, safety and security grant scheme the airports in the BMW region have received €4.7 million over the past four years. A new scheme of operational grant assistance, replacing the marketing scheme is being developed in line with new EU guidelines and will be launched later this year.