David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

178. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding provided to regional airports in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [33009/21]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

179. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding provided to Waterford Airport in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33010/21]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the €5 million previously committed to by his Department to Waterford Airport for development works has yet been allocated; if not, when it will be allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33011/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 178, 179 and 180 together.

In relation to funding for regional airports, the following table reflects the amounts provided to airports under the Regional Airports Programme over the period 2016 to 2021. 

With regard to 2021, a budget of €14m in capital and operational supports was made available by Government under this Programme for the eligible regional airports of Ireland West, Kerry and Donegal.  However, like previous years, the vast majority of approved funding will not be drawn down until later in the year, typically between September and December.  In addition to this amount, €6 million has also been secured for these airports under a EU approved Covid19 Supplementary Supports Scheme.  Applications for funding under this scheme are currently being assessed and it is anticipated that payments will be made in two instalments.  The first instalment is expected to be made in the coming weeks with the latter instalment due in December. 

It should be noted that Waterford Airport became ineligible for funding under this Programme from 2017 as all scheduled air services ceased at the airport in June 2016. 

Funding to regional airports in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021

However, as the Deputy will be aware, in June 2019, the previous Government gave approval, in principle, to providing Exchequer funds of €5m towards a €12m runway extension project at Waterford Airport.

The Government decision was made on the basis that the construction of the runway extension and related works would be completed by summer 2020. Furthermore, it was agreed that any Exchequer contribution would only be paid on completion of all upgrade works and the runway being confirmed ‘ready for service’ by the Irish Aviation Authority.

As part of this decision, Government also committed to providing operational supports, on an exceptional basis, to the airport to ensure the continuation of the Search and Rescue (SAR) services at the Waterford base as well as general aviation services while the runway was being constructed.  Since 2018, Waterford Airport has received €1.5 million in operational supports - €750,000 in 2018 followed by €375,000 in each of the years 2019 and 2020.  It has not received any funding in 2021 and I have informed Waterford Airport that in the absence of flights, the Airport fails to meet the connectivity objective associated with Government policy on regional airports. While some operational payments to Waterford airport were made on an exceptional basis between 2018 and 2020 in anticipation of the return of scheduled services, the radically changed outlook for the return of such services means that such payments cannot be continued and Waterford airport have been advised of this position. 

Furthermore, given the changed circumstances in the context of the project timeline and the impacts of Covid19 on the aviation market and wider economy, I have informed Waterford airport that any renewal of a commitment to provide Exchequer funds of €5m for development works will need to take account of these circumstances as well as the enhanced obligations that are now in place under the revised Public Spending Code, which was published in December 2019.