Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, on 12 October 2021 the Government announced a €126m aviation funding package. It is anticipated that €90m of this package will be provided to State airports (Dublin, Shannon and Cork) in 2021. While this funding remains subject to State Aid approval, the intention is to distribute the funding to the three State airports on a pro-rata basis based on 2019 passenger numbers. This same methodology was used for the €20m funding already provided to the State airports this year for the purposes of rebuilding connectivity.

Additional funding of €36m will be provided in 2022 to support regional airports and PSO Air services through the Regional Airports Programme (RAP). A new RAP for the period 2021 to 2025 was published on 4 February 2021. This Programme will continue to support Ireland’s smallest airports, those that operate scheduled services and handle fewer than 1 million annual passengers.

Due to reduced passenger numbers, as a direct result of COVID, both Shannon and Cork airports are eligible for supports under this Programme, along with Donegal, Ireland West and Kerry airports, in 2022. In a substantial increase in funding available in 2022, €26m will be available to support safety and security related current expenditure and the Donegal - Dublin PSO service. €10m will also be provided for capital expenditure targeted at projects which support sustainability objectives, enabling these airports to identify and implement climate related efficiencies and build resilience against the likely impacts of climate change. Capital expenditure will also be targeted at safety and security related projects.

Funding under the RAP is allocated to eligible airports annually following an assessment of project proposals submitted by airports at the start of each year. Airports, including Shannon Airport, 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 later in 2022 with funding allocations normally made by year's end.