Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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135. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated number of passengers in each of Ireland’s regional airports in each of the years from 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the estimated value in each year of the contribution that each airport makes to the economy in terms of tourist revenue and jobs supported in tabular form . [60224/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for his question. According to details supplied to my Department the following table sets out the passenger numbers across our regional airports since 2018 and to date in 2022.

In relation to the estimated value of the contribution each airport makes to the economy in terms of tourist revenue and jobs supported, I wish to advise the Deputy that a requirement of all airports in receipt of Exchequer funding under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025, is for an Economic Impact Assessment to be submitted to my Department. This assessment is required to show the economic value of the airport to the region, and the contribution the airport makes to the local/regional economy.  The following are the findings from reports made available to my Department:

- Shannon Airport:Shannon Airport Group through their Economic Impact Report calculate that the Group generates €3.6 billion in GVA (Gross Value Added) each year, supporting over 46,000 jobs, which contribute €1.1 billion in tax revenue to the Exchequer.

- Cork Airport: Cork Airport through an economic impact study found that Cork Airport generated €904 million for the Irish economy in the year of the study and contributed to the employment of 12,180 people in Ireland, equivalent to 10,740 full-time jobs.

- IWAK: Ireland West Airport reported that the total economic activity as a result of the airport’s activities and passenger expenditure in the year of the assessment was €216 million total output, supporting 3,177 jobs, and generating €34.1m in Exchequer revenue through its operations and tourist spending.

- Kerry Airport: Kerry Airport reported that the airport is responsible for 625 jobs in the locality. It is estimated that the airport contributes as much as €14.6 million to the Irish economy.

- Donegal Airport: A report commissioned by Donegal Airport found that Donegal Airport supports 393 full time jobs in the locality and generates €24.2 million in GVA.