Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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1657. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the funding of Ireland West Airport Knock now that EU Commission approval has been given to the Government's regional airport plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32081/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland's 2015-2019 Regional Airports Programme provides for the continuance of Exchequer supports (state aid) under the Capital Expenditure Grant and Core Airport Management Operational Expenditure Subvention Schemes, where appropriate, to the four regional airports at Donegal, Kerry, Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK) and Waterford. Following EU Commission approval of the Programme on 3 August, the four regional airports have been provided with the criteria necessary (and as set out in the programme) for submitting applications to my Department for Exchequer supports, including a five-year business plan, an economic evaluation of the airport's contribution to the region and other financial information. Detailed consideration within the Department is a prerequisite to the formal granting of approval to each airport for funding supports over the life of the Programme. My Department has just received an application from IWAK which is being evaluated. We are awaiting applications from the other three airports. 

In addition to the above State aid supports, my Department will also provide, in accordance with the 2014 EU Guidelines on state aid to airports and airlines, financial supports to the four airports in respect of those airport activities that normally fall under the responsibility of the State in the exercise of its official powers as a public authority, such as air traffic control, customs, firefighting, passenger and baggage screening etc. These activities are not of an economic nature, fall within the remit of Public Policy Remit and in general do not come within the scope of EU rules on state aid. The actual level of Public Policy Remit funding supports to be made available to in 2015 is in the process of being determined by my officials in consultation with the four regional airports.