Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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145. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost-benefit analysis that has been done by his Department to identify economic benefit of passenger jet aviation into each region of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41977/24]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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As an island nation, aviation plays a crucial role in our economy and society. The National Aviation Policy (“NAP”) published in August 2015, established a policy framework for the development of the aviation sector. The NAP was designed to create an environment that would encourage the sector to enhance Ireland's connectivity, to foster the growth of aviation enterprise and to maximise the contribution of aviation to Ireland's sustainable economic growth and development.

Government recognises that significant economic and social benefits can be derived from facilitating access to and from our regions. In terms of our State airports Economic Impact Assessments have been undertaken by Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports in order to show the economic value of those airports to their regions, and the contribution the airport makes to the local/regional economy. Reports on Dublin and Cork airports were published this year and a report on Shannon Airport Group was published in 2023.

The following table captures the impact in terms of employment and gross value added (GVA) for these State airports (GVA is broadly equivalent to GDP):

Note: Some total figures have been rounded. The Shannon Airport Group figures include both the commercial property business and Shannon Airport.

The NAP also recognises the important role our smaller regional airports play in their areas and in regional development. These airports continue to be important because of a level of international connectivity that they bring to a region for tourism and business.

Although not State owned, as part of the eligibility criteria under the Regional Airports Programme, Ireland West, Kerry and Donegal airports are required to report to my Department annually with a summary of the economic value of the airport to their region, and the contribution the airport makes to the local/regional economy.

The following table captures the impact in terms of employment and GVA at these smaller regional airports: