Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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154. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025. [21095/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Government has maintained a strong commitment to the aviation sector during the Covid crisis and has allocated an unprecedented €161 million in aviation specific supports to Irish airports in 2021 alone. Last year, €11.6 million of this amount was issued under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025.

Building on that commitment, last week (19 April), I announced a further €16.4 million in capital supports to airports under the Regional Airports Programme for 2022, as follows:

2022 Capital Funding Allocations under the Regional Airports Programme

The Regional Airports Programme 2021 - 2025 supports Ireland’s smallest airports i.e. those that provide connectivity and handle fewer than 1 million annual passengers, in the preceding two years.  Donegal, Knock and Kerry Airports were eligible under the Regional Airports Programme in 2021 and have remained eligible in 2022.  By virtue of their size and passenger numbers, Shannon and Cork regional State airports have never, before now, been eligible for funding under this Programme.  However, due to suppressed passenger numbers in 2020 and 2021 as a direct result of Covid, both airports have become eligible for funding under the Programme in 2022.

This capital funding will continue to support a great number of safety and security related capital projects, ensuring that these airports can continue to remain compliant with regulatory requirements in these areas.  In addition, and in line with the broadening of the scope of the Programme, a significant number of this year’s projects have a sustainability focus, facilitating the sustainable growth of the sector.

Donegal, Ireland West, Kerry, Shannon and Cork airports will also be eligible to apply for operational funding, later this year under this Programme.  Almost €22 million  in operational support is available in 2022 to support air traffic control, fire services and security related operations at airports.