David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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604. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the nature of his engagement with Waterford Regional Airport since his announcement to commit extra capital funding to the airport; if the extra funding is dependent on the airport securing a new commercial carrier; if progress has been made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29631/16]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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605. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any of the €800,000 capital funding announced by his Department for Waterford Airport can or is being used to extend the runway at the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29632/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 604 and 605 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, since VLM Airlines ceased its services to Birmingham and Luton earlier this year, there have been no scheduled air services at Waterford Airport.  Securing routes and negotiating deals with airlines are commercial matters for the airports themselves and I understand that the airport authorities in Waterford are currently endeavouring to source an alternative carrier.

Last month I announced €2.7 million in funding support for the four regional airports, including €870,000 for Waterford, for safety and security projects under the Regional Airports Programme 2015-2021. The authorities in Waterford Airport are fully aware that this funding is contingent on them securing a replacement carrier for VLM and on the airport having a sustainable future.

None of the funding earmarked for Waterford will be used to extend the runway at that airport. Funding supports for capital expenditure under the Regional Airports Programme are confined to assisting the four airports concerned  with implementing necessary safety and security related projects.  Development projects which are designed to expand capacity, such as the proposed runway extension at Waterford, are a commercial matter for the airports themselves and are outside the scope of the Programme.  I understand that the airport authorities are pursuing local interests for funding in relation to that project.