Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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48. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the status of the Waterford Airport development proposal, considering the urgent need for a decision before the Dáil dissolves, to avoid a delay of six to nine months, which could jeopardize the project and its potential economic benefits for the south east region; if he will outline the steps being taken to ensure this critical investment is secured promptly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43337/24]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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49. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport how the Government plans to address the apparent funding disparities, highlighted by the significant investments in other infrastructure projects and airports, in contrast to the lack of support for Waterford Airport; if he will commit to prioritizing the Waterford Airport proposal to foster regional economic growth, enhance tourism, and support the business community in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43338/24]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together.

Policy on regional airports has always been focused on optimising conditions for connectivity and balanced regional development. As a result, Exchequer funding under my Department’s Regional Airports Programme is contingent on airports operating scheduled passenger services.

It must be recognised that Waterford Airport had been eligible for Exchequer funding under previous Regional Airports Programmes. In fact, since 2003 Waterford Airport has benefited from almost €26 million in Exchequer funding, supporting vital safety and security activities and operations at the airport.

The Deputy will be aware that following a continued decline in demand for services over successive years from 2008, all remaining scheduled flights ceased at the airport in June 2016. In the absence of scheduled passenger services, Waterford Airport has not been eligible for supports under the Programme since then.

In relation to Waterford Airport’s development proposal, I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has undertaken a detailed appraisal of the proposal put forward. This appraisal has included the assessment of significant documentation and responses to queries raised by Department officials and addressed by the airport up until 17 July. This level of appraisal is necessary to ensure that due diligence is exercised in accordance with my Department’s “Transport Appraisal Framework” and the Government’s “Infrastructure Guidelines” (previously known as the Public Spending Code).

The Transport Appraisal Framework requires that in the transport sector, where the proposal has an estimated potential cost of €15m or more, the Sponsoring Agency (in this case Waterford Airport) must produce a Project Outline Document, to be reviewed by the relevant Approving Authority (in this case the Department of Transport). The purpose of the Project Outline Document is to outline the rationale for an intervention and the intended impacts; verify the alignment of the proposal with wider government strategy and policy; and describe the appraisal, governance, and financial approach.

My Department has completed its assessment of the detail provided by the airport in line with the Project Outline Document requirements. This assessment was recently submitted to both Minister Ryan and I for our consideration.

While the processes governing capital investment projects are onerous and rigorous and may take considerable periods of time to execute to the required standards, it needs to be recognised that Waterford Airport is currently in a position to operate scheduled passenger services without any major runway extension.

Indeed, the existing runway can facilitate propeller plane services which are successfully operated at other airports currently, including for example on services operating out of Donegal, Kerry, Cork and Dublin airports to the UK and France.

I will be meeting with the board of Waterford Airport tomorrow afternoon, Thursday Oct 24th.

These matters need careful consideration by both Minister Ryan and I before next steps can be determined. Until that time, I reserve an open mind on the matter.