Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will provide the necessary investment for Ireland West Airport, Knock, to enable this ever expanding regional airport to expand and to work at its full potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33225/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The level of Exchequer funding for capital expenditure at Ireland West Airport Knock and at the other regional airports in the years ahead will be determined within the framework of a new scheme recently introduced by my Department to ensure that such funding is in compliance with the legally-binding EU guidelines on financing of airports which were published towards the end of last year.

Under the Capital Expenditure Grant Scheme, applications from the regional airports will be assessed by reference to a planning and implementation framework extending to 2010 and a budget of €65 million out of the total of €100 million for which Transport 21 provides up to 2015. As well as the continuation of grant assistance for essential safety and security capital expenditure under the NDP, all regional airports are eligible for capital expenditure grants where demand for additional air services can be demonstrated and where an economic case can be made to justify increased investment.

At my Department's request, all of the regional airports including Ireland West Airport Knock have submitted proposals for funding under the new scheme. These grant applications are being assessed and prioritised by my Department with the assistance of expert advice and I expect to be in a position to announce each airport's allocation under the scheme before the end of the month.