Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

226. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of State aid being provided to Kerry airport per annum since 2007, with a breakdown of categories, including the public service obligation flight subsidy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40579/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Exchequer support for regional airports is provided under the Regional Airports Programme 2011-2014 which includes the Capital Expenditure Grants (CAPEX) Scheme, the Operational Expenditure Subvention (OPEX) Scheme and a Scheme for subventing Public Service Obligations (PSO) air services operating between Kerry and Dublin and Donegal and Dublin. All expenditure under this Programme must, of course, comply with the 2005 EU Guidelines on State-aid to airports and airlines.

Capital expenditure is focussed on safety and security projects, aimed at ensuring that each airport can comply with required national and international aviation safety and security standards. Operational subvention is provided towards the cost of core airport services. The current contracts under the PSO Air Services Scheme, under which subvention is paid direct to the operating airlines, will end in January 2015. As the Deputy is aware, earlier this year, my Department launched a call for tenders for public service obligation air services for both routes for a three year period from February 2015 to January 2018 and that process is still on-going. 

Details of CAPEX and OPEX funding in respect of Kerry Airport for the period in question are set out in the following table: