Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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Question 1419: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount he has given in grant aid to Galway Airport since the airport was opened; if Galway Airport is to close whether this money is to be repaid to the Exchequer; if so the percentage of this money that must be repaid; if this money can be ringfenced to ensure that staff are paid proper redundancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18680/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Since 1993 a total of €17.8 million funding has been allocated to Galway Airport, €8 million in respect of Capital expenditure and €9.8 million for subvention of operational expenditure. In December 2011, a total of over €5 million was allocated to the six regional airports to cover a portion of their operating costs incurred in 2011. This included a subvention of over €2 million to Galway Airport. In addition, €200,000 was paid to Galway Airport in 2011 under the Regional Airports Capital Expenditure Grant (CAPEX) Scheme. Recoupment of any monies provided by the Exchequer would have to be in accordance with the relevant schemes. The issue of redundancy payments for staff is a matter for Galway Airport as a privately owned entity.