Written answers

Tuesday, 2 November 2021

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Airport Policy

Photo of Rose Conway-WalshRose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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220. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total allocated funding for Ireland West Airport in 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53018/21]

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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A new Regional Airports Programme for the period 2021 to 2025 was published on 4 February 2021. This Programme will continue to support Ireland’s smallest airports, including Ireland West Airport, that operate scheduled services and handle fewer than 1 million annual passengers. Capital supports under this Programme are targeted at grant-aiding investments in safety and security enhancements and also assist the regional airports in ensuring they comply with international regulatory requirements in these areas. Funding will also support sustainability objectives, enabling these airports to identify and implement climate related efficiencies and build resilience against the likely impacts of climate change.

The RAP has made €13.9m available to our smaller regional airports (Donegal, Ireland West and Kerry) in 2021. €10m in capital funding is available, with €2.2m allocated to Ireland West Airport to date this year. €3.9m in operational supports is also available under the RAP in 2021 with formal assessment currently underway for this funding. Subject to available resources, up to 100% of operating costs associated with providing essential, non-economicservices in the areas of safety and security will be funded.

Additional capital project proposals with a sustainability focus, including submissions by Ireland West Airport, are also currently being evaluated for RAP funding in 2021. A decision in relation to these projects is expected to be announced shortly.

A further €6m was made available in 2021 under State aid approved schemes to help airports mitigate the effects of COVID. Almost half of this amount, which relates to losses in 2020, was allocated in July, with €1.9m allocated to Ireland West Airport. The remainder will be disbursed in December following an assessment by the Department of eligible losses in the current year to end 2021.

In relation to 2022 funding, capital funding under the RAP is allocated to airports annually following an assessment of project proposals submitted by airports at the start of each year. Ireland West Airport, along with other eligible airports, will shortly be given the opportunity to submit their capital project proposals for consideration for funding in 2022. Invitations for current funding will issue to airports in 2022 with funding allocations made by year's end.

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