Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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580. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a connectivity funding programme in respect of airports here in order to secure strategic routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50340/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The establishment of air transport connections are the result of commercial agreements between airlines and airports. I, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, do not have any function in these commercial decisions.

In addition to incentive schemes offered directly by airports, the Government already supports the development of air connectivity through funding for cooperative marketing activity. Cooperative campaigns with partners facilitate increased marketing effort and help promote the destination more widely. They assist in driving demand for new and existing inbound air and sea services and leverage commercial investment in marketing Irish tourism, thereby sustaining the island’s vital route network.

Funding of €1 million was made available to Tourism Ireland annually in 2016, 2017 and 2018 for cooperative marketing. This funding, supported by contributions from regional tourism stakeholders (airports and ports) was matched by air and sea carriers and resulted in total overseas marketing expenditure of €2.6m in 2016 and €2.4m in 2017. The funds were used to encourage new access and maximise the potential of existing services to the regions, thus optimising Ireland’s Ancient East, Wild Atlantic Way and more recently Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’ initiatives.

Supporting both seasonal and regional growth, with an increased budget, will again be the focus for Tourism Ireland in 2019, with the aim of increasing visitor numbers in the shoulder season. This will be underscored by a commitment to focus co-operative partnership activities on the January-April and October-December periods for Great Britain and the North American and European markets.

The Government's Regional Airports Programme also provides Exchequer support to some of Ireland’s smallest airports, namely Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock, Kerry and Waterford through a number of schemes in compliance with EU Guidelines on State Aid. Passenger numbers at these airports are less than 1 million per year and the capital supports under the Programme are limited to grant-aiding investments in safety and security enhancements, thus helping these small airports to comply with international regulatory obligations in these areas.

In light of the foregoing, I have no plans to introduce any additional funding measures along the lines referred to by the Deputy.