Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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600. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to enhance and develop regional airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16014/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​The National Aviation Policy, published by my Department last August, acknowledges the role played by the regional airports in Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock, Kerry and Waterford in promoting a level of international connectivity to support the tourism and business sectors in their regions.

The Policy also confirms that these four airports are being given the opportunity to grow to a viable, self-sustaining position. In this regard, my Department's latest Regional Airports Programme, which covers the period 2015 to 2019, was approved by the EU Commission last year under State aid rules and this Programme will continue to support safety and security measures at these airports where appropriate.

An extra €10 million in capital funding is provided in the Programme for Government for the regional airports. This is additional to the €28 million already provided for this purpose in the Capital Plan 2016 to 2022 and will enhance my Department's ability to further support the four airports.

It is of course a matter for the airports themselves to exploit all potential opportunities to develop air services at their facilities.