Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 660: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his policy on regional airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14087/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Since coming to Office, this Government has set very clear policy in relation to future Exchequer support for regional airports. This support is provided under the Regional Airports Programme which includes the Operational Expenditure Subvention (OPEX) Scheme, the Capital Expenditure Grants (CAPEX) Scheme and a Scheme for subventing Public Service Obligations (PSO) air services operating between Kerry and Dublin and Donegal and Dublin. Over the period 2012 to 2014, a total of some €42m is being allocated for these Schemes.

While the number of airports being supported has been rationalised for a number of reasons, I have made it clear to the remaining four regional airports that are in receipt of Exchequer support that they need to work towards achieving viability. This is particularly important given the fact that the availability of funds for regional airports is on a downward trend due to the current financial constraints.

I believe that the improved surface transport network which now exists in Ireland together with the more consolidated network of regional airports, along with the State Airports at Cork, Shannon and Dublin, provides the necessary transport access to underpin Ireland's economic recovery.