Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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197. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the regional airports programme; if there will be a consultation on the programme; if not, the reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49554/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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In line with National Aviation Policy, Government provides substantial annual funding under a Regional Airports Programme. This Programme, which is administered by my Department, supports Ireland’s smallest regional airports, those that provide scheduled passenger services and handle fewer than one million passengers per annum. Kerry Airport along with Ireland West and Donegal airports are currently eligible for funding under this Programme.

The current Programme, for the period 2021-2025, has a budget of €18 million for allocation this year. This funding will support vital safety, security and sustainability operations and activities at these airports. A Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service between Donegal and Dublin airports is also supported.

A mid-term review of the current Programme was undertaken with the high-level outcomes announced in July 2024. A public consultation was undertaken by my Department at that time to inform this review. While the primary focus of this review was on the performance of the Programme to date, it was recognised that recommendations and proposed actions on foot of the review may contribute to the development of policy on future appropriate and cost-effective support measures for regional airports in Ireland, including the development of any future Programme.

The Programme for Government commits to continue to invest in regional airports and to develop a new Regional Airports Programme 2026-2030. While the immediate actions announced under the mid-term review have already been delivered other actions are currently being considered in the development of this new Programme, which is being progressed by my Department as a matter of priority this year.