Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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172. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that Government funding to the City of Derry Airport is restored as soon as possible given the high percentage of passengers using the airport from this State. [12384/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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While I acknowledge that City of Derry Airport (CoDA) has a role in helping to facilitate connectivity to the North-West, this airport is not eligible for funding from the Irish Exchequer under the Regional Airports Programme. 

As the Deputy is aware a new Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 was published by my Department last year.  This Programme targets funding, which is limited, at safety and security related operations as well as supporting projects which focus on reducing emissions and building climate resilience at our regional  airports, including Donegal Airport in the North-West. 

Whilst not eligible for funding from the Irish Exchequer, I understand that CoDA, which is owned by Derry City & Strabane District Council,  has been significantly supported by that Council, the Northern Ireland Executive and the Department for Transport (UK).