Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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465. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the last time his Department carried out a review of the need for the PSO Air Service between Dublin and Donegal Airport under regulation 1008/2208 of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43646/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Department completed a Value for Money Study on the Regional Airports Programme in 2010 which, following consideration by then Government, was published on the Department’s website in January 2011. The Value for Money Study, which included a review of the need for PSO air services in Ireland, was the basis on which it was decided to renew the PSO air service between Donegal and Dublin airports that year. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community, a report on the PSO air services from Donegal and Kerry airports, which was primarily based on the Value for Money Study, was sent to the European Commission in June 2011 prior to the renewal of the PSO air services to those two airports in November 2011.

The current contracts for these services are for a three year period to November 2014. The future of the current Regional Airports Programme, including a review of the need for PSO air services in Ireland, will be examined in the context of the National Aviation Policy for Ireland which is currently being developed, following a public consultation carried out earlier this year. I intend to publish a draft National Aviation Policy Statement by year end and this will provide a further opportunity for stakeholder input before the adoption of the new policy document in early 2014.