Written answers

Tuesday, 17 April 2018

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Project Ireland 2040

Photo of Mary ButlerMary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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1323. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans under Project Ireland 2040 for Waterford Airport; his plans in the short term to extend the runway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16683/18]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The new National Development Plan, Project Ireland 2040, provides for continued Exchequer support for the smaller regional airports through my Department's Regional Airports Programme.

As the Deputy will be aware, capital supports under this Programme are targeted at grant-aiding investments in the areas of safety and security and to assist the smaller airports in ensuring compliance with international regulatory requirements in these areas.

Waterford Airport has received substantial Exchequer support in the past under the Regional Airports Programme - €20 million over the past 10 years - to assist it with implementing necessary safety and security related projects and activities. 

The scope of the Regional Airports Programme does not extend to supporting  the development of capacity expansions at the regional airports. The Exchequer does not invest in airports for development purposes, whether at State airports or regional airports.  Decisions of that nature - for example, the proposed runway extension at Waterford - are commercial matters for airports themselves and are outside the scope of the Programme.

Unfortunately, Waterford Airport has been without any scheduled air services since mid-2016. We must have regard to the prudent use of taxpayers’ money and we will not be in a position to consider further Exchequer support for Waterford unless and until we have visibility on a sustainable future for the airport. The airport authorities in Waterford are aware of this position.

The current position is that my Department is arranging for an independent consultant to undertake a review of the options for Waterford Airport and it is hoped to have this review completed by mid-year.

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