Brendan Kenneally (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding funding which was approved for the runway extension at Waterford Airport. [28140/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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In February 2007 the Government approved a programme of capital grants amounting to €86 million from within the Transport 21 envelope for specific projects at the six regional airports, including Waterford, under a new Capital Expenditure Grant Scheme covering the period until the end of 2010. The approved programme comprised €39 million at the 90% rate for safety and security improvements and €47 million at the 75% rate for developmental projects aimed at increasing capacity in the sector.

Under this scheme, Waterford Airport was allocated grants totalling €22.33 million, including €3.63 million in respect of a runway extension and widening project to facilitate the airport's business development plans. Because of the current difficulties with the public finances, it has been decided that until the end of 2009, expenditure under the scheme at all of the airports should be focused on projects and project elements where the individual airports had already entered into contractual commitments by 23 July 2008. Decisions on expenditure in subsequent years must await the outcome of the Value for Money review of exchequer expenditure on regional airports being undertaken within my Department, which is due for completion in the autumn.