Written answers

Thursday, 20 December 2012

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Regional Airports

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to deliver on proposals by Ireland West Airport, Knock to create 500 new jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57253/12]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on discussions with the management of Ireland West Airport, Knock County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57252/12]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 45 together.

Plans for the development of the privately-owned regional airports, including Knock Airport, are a matter for the management of those airports. However, both I and officials of my Department have met with the Chairman and senior management of Knock airport on a number of occasions over the past six months regarding their future plans for developing the airport.

I have rationalised the system of State support for the privately-owned regional airports and the Government now has a settled policy in relation to those airports. In line with the recommendations of the Value for Money Review on the Regional Airports Programme published in 2011, funding under that Programme for the period 2012-2014 has been consolidated on four regional airports including Knock. The focus now is on airports working towards sustainability over the coming years without an on-going need for Government financial support.

In his recent Budget speech, the Minister for Finance announced that he will be putting in place measures to facilitate the construction of hangars and ancillary facilities that will be key to attracting additional aviation sector organisations and jobs to the country. These measures will be available on a national basis to all Irish airports who wish to avail of them, including Knock Airport.

With regard to existing supports for Knock Airport, it should be noted that the Airport, along with the other regional airports which are not owned by the State, has been supported over the years under the Regional Airports Programme which is aimed at ensuring balanced regional development. Under that programme, Knock Airport has received around €40m since 1993. This includes funding for the PSO air services, which although paid directly to the airlines, also supports the airport. Over €1m is being provided this year to the Airport, despite the difficult economic circumstances of the country.

In a wider context, I should point out that the development of a new civil aviation policy was initiated at a conference earlier this month and will be pursued through 2012, leading to the adoption of a new policy in 2014. In that context, I expect the role of both State and regional airports to be fully explored with submissions being made by the airports, including Knock.

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