Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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79. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29348/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 supports Ireland’s smallest airports, those that operate scheduled services and handle fewer than 1 million annual passengers. Supports under this Programme are targeted at safety and security activities and operations, assisting our regional airports to ensure they comply with international regulatory requirements in these areas. Funding also supports sustainability objectives, enabling these airports to identify and implement climate related efficiencies and build resilience against the likely impacts of climate change.

During 2021, €5.7m in capital funding was allocated to our smaller regional airports (Ireland West, Donegal and Kerry). A further €2.8m in operational supports were also provided to these airports, which funded 100% of all eligible non-economic operating costs in the areas of safety and security in 2021.

While Ireland West, Donegal and Kerry Airports have remained eligible for funding under the Programme in 2022, by virtue of their size and passenger numbers, Shannon and Cork regional State airports have never, before now, been eligible for funding (although funded separately under a one year COVID 19 Regional State Airports Programme in 2021). However, due to suppressed passenger numbers in 2020 and 2021, as a direct result of Covid, both of these regional State airports have become eligible for funding under the Programme in 2022.

From an overall budget of €44 million available under this Programme in 2022, on 19^thApril last, I was pleased to announce capital funding allocations totalling almost €16.4m for 2022. This capital funding is broken down by airport as follows:

The above airports will also be eligible to apply for operational funding, later this year, under the Programme. Almost €22 million in operational support is available in 2022 to support air traffic control, fire services and security related operations at airports. This funding will support these airports as they recover from the impacts of COVID and grow into the future.

As Government policy on regional airports seeks to optimise conditions for regional development and connectivity – both for social and economic benefits, in addition to funding being made directly to airports, the Regional Airports Programme also supports regional connectivity via Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services to remote regions.

Currently one PSO route operates between Donegal and Dublin, providing the people and businesses in the North-West with twice daily two-way air services. The current PSO contract on this route commenced on 26th February 2022. This PSO service marks Government’s commitment to ensuring continued connectivity to this region for the next 3 years. In line with Government’s commitment to balanced regional development, this service will support growth of the economy and tourism in the region.