Jim Higgins
Question:194 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the grants paid to Knock Airport since its inception; the purpose of each grant; and the year in which each was paid. [3534/00]
Written Answers. - Regional Airports.
The grants paid to Knock Airport since its inception, the purpose of each grant, and the year in which each was paid is as follows. A sum of over £9.8 million was given to Knock Airport in the period 1981 to 1985 by way of loans, which were subsequently written off, to assist in the construction of the airport itself and the building of the runway. The breakdown on a yearly basis was as shown in the table below:
|
1981 |
£2,249,982 |
|
1982 |
£4,334,753 |
|
1983 |
£2,679,748 |
|
1984 |
£564,299 |
|
1985 |
£29,220 |
|
Total |
£9,858,002 |
In 1989, £1.33 million European Regional Development Fund funding was granted to Knock Airport for carrying out such works as extending the departure lounge, building an observation lounge and restaurant and providing a freight apron and car parking.
In 1991, a sum of £160,000 owed to the Department by the company for the provision of air traffic control services was written off.
ERDF funding of £28,226 was granted in 1993 for provision of a baggage scanner, £101,490 in 1994 for extending the arrivals hall at the terminal building and £86,000 in 1995 for the transfer of the meteorological station from Claremorris to Knock Airport.
In addition to the above, Exchequer funding in the amounts of £270,000 in 1993, £67,000 in 1995 and £62,500 each year in the period 1996 to 1999, inclusive, was provided for the marketing and promotion of Knock Airport. Exchequer funding of £912,881 in 1998 and £11,119 in 1999 was also provided towards a project to upgrade the runway lighting and navigational aids.