Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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14. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the financial supports he will put in place to ensure the recovery of Cork Airport. [31851/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for his question on Cork Airport.

As the Deputy will be aware, in recognition of the significant challenges being faced by airports, particularly airports like Cork, the Government established a new Covid19 Regional State Airports Programme earlier this year. This Programme, with an available budget of €32.1m, is providing both capital and operational supports to Cork Airport in 2021.

An application for funding in respect of a significant runway overlay project at Cork Airport is currently being assessed by my Department. Pending a satisfactory evaluation, I expect this project will be approved for funding in the coming weeks - with an allocation of approximately €10 million.

In addition to the capital funding, Cork Airport will also be invited to apply for operational supports, under this Programme, later in the year.

Furthermore, on 24 February 2021, my Department secured European Commission approval for a €26 million funding scheme for Irish Airports. As part of this scheme, a €20m damages measure has been established to support State airports, including Cork. My Department is currently assessing applications for funding under this measure and aid will be disbursed shortly.

These direct supports are in addition to the broad range of supports put in place by Government to help mitigate the effects of the crisis. Cork airport is also availing of the horizontal supports provided by Government including the wage subsidy scheme and commercial rates waiver.

The Government is fully committed to supporting the aviation sector, and we recognise the importance of providing clarity on the extent and duration of supports beyond 2021. In this context, Government will consider what further supports may be needed to help all regional airports, including Cork and Shannon, as part of the upcoming Estimates process.