Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on an application by Ireland West Airport at Knock, County Mayo for operational support of €500,000 from the Government's core airport management operational expenditure subvention scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact the airport has received no funding under this scheme for over three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27608/09]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 316: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will confirm having received an application under the core airport management operational expenditure subvention scheme 2009 in respect of Ireland West Airport Knock; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28019/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 316 together.

Under this scheme which was introduced in 2006, regional airports may be considered for annual subvention in respect of operating costs incurred in providing core airport services, to the extent that these cannot be met by prudent commercial management and by any surpluses available from other sources such as carparking charges and catering.

Ireland West Airport Knock has not received any subvention under the scheme to date because it traded profitably during the years in question.

Applications in respect of 2009 are currently being examined. The airports have been advised that in view of constraints on Exchequer resources this year, it is likely that any payments under the scheme in 2009 will have to be made on a pro rata basis, with no airport getting the full amount it might otherwise expect.