David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1372. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the subvention to Waterford regional airport in each of the years 2007 to 2017; the projected subvention in each of the years 2018 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54644/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Regional Airports Programme operated by my Department provides for Exchequer funding in the form of capital and operational grants towards necessary safety and security related projects and activities at the four regional airports in Kerry, Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock (IWAK) and Waterford.

Details of funding provided to Waterford Airport under the Programme for the period 2007-2017 is set out in the following table. Waterford Airport has not had any scheduled passenger air services since June 2016 and hence no Exchequer funding was provided to that airport in 2017.

As regards projected funding in the years 2018 to 2021, applications for grant support under the Regional Airports Programme in the areas of safety and security are invited from the airports on an annual basis and these applications are assessed by my Department, in conjunction with the IAA, against the criteria set out in the Programme. It is therefore not possible to forecast funding supports to particular airports in future years. In the case of Waterford Airport, the authorities there are aware that support under the Programme is subject to scheduled passenger air services operating at the airport.

As I indicated last month it is my intention to arrange for a review to be undertaken on the options for Waterford  Airport. In the meantime, my Department will this month provide a sum of €375,000 to the airport to safeguard the Coast Guard Search and Rescue service for the first six months of 2018. This is an exceptional measure, given the current difficult financial circumstances at the airport, and will allow time for an evaluation of the future of Waterford Airport and ensure that the important work of the Search and Rescue service can continue.

Funding under Regional Airports Programme to Waterford Airport 2007-2017