Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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199. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the non-governmental organisations in receipt of funding from his Department; the amount of funding allocated to same in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24384/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy may be aware, funding is allocated to regional airports under the Regional Airports Programme. A new Regional Airports Programme for the period 2021 to 2025 was published on 4th February. This Programme, with a budget of €21.3 million in 2021, will continue to support Ireland’s smallest airports i.e. those that handle less than 1 million annual passengers. In addition to targeting funding at safety and security projects and activities, the scope of the new programme has been expanded to encourage airports to reduce emissions and build climate resilience.

This Programme also provides for a Public Services Obligation (PSO) Air Services Scheme, in compliance with Regulation (EC) No. 1008/2008. This scheme provides financial support to operate PSO air services on two routes, Donegal/Dublin and Kerry/Dublin. Following a competitive tender, Stobart Air is currently contracted to operate PSO services on both routes from 1 February 2018 to 31 January 2022.

Funding to non-governmental organisations, provided through the Regional Airports Programme in 2020, in line with EU rules on State aid, breaks down as follows:

FUNDING ALLOCATED DURING 2020

The airports that benefit from supports under the Regional Airports Programme are Donegal, Ireland West and Kerry. However, funding in 2020 also included an operational grant of €375K to support operations at Waterford Airport.

In addition to funding available under this Programme, on 24 February, the Commission approved State aid support schemes to help address liquidity issues at airports as a result of Covid-19. These schemes will include up to €6m in funding in 2021, under the EU Temporary Framework, to regional airports in recognition of the impact of COVID on their business. The airports that will benefit from potential supports under this Framework are Donegal, Ireland West and Kerry also.

My Department allocated €2,556 to the European Cyclist Federation in 2020 for Euro Velo cycling route and other supports, and it also allocated Community Rescue Boats Ireland (CRBI) Maintenance Grants of €5,075 to the following organisations in 2020:

My Department allocated a Development Grant of €64,000 to Mountain Rescue Ireland (MRI), and MRI Maintenance Grants to the following in 2020: