Vol. 466 No. 1
230 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the basis for the decision to disperse the grant assistance available to regional airports; if he will give details in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10779/96]
The Government's decision to introduce a strictly time limited scheme of Exchequer funding to assist the six privately owned regional airports in marketing their products stemmed from a review of policy relating to these airports which was carried out by my Department in recent months. The need for this review was prompted by financial difficulties at most of these airports arising from insufficient traffic to ensure their commercial viability.
The review confirmed the perception of the tourism and industrial promotion agencies that the regional airports form an important part of the transport infrastructure of the regions, serving to enhance the range of access options for potential visitors and as an inducement for the attraction and development of industry in the regions. In this way, these airports help to spread economic development into the regions.
The amounts of marketing assistance for the individual airports were arrived at in the light of their current and projected financial performance, and traffic results for the years 1996-1999. Details of the assistance, which will total £2.35 million for the six airports over the years 1996-1999, are as follows: Donegal, £300,000; Galway, £160,000; Kerry, £1,200,000; Knock, £250,000; Sligo, £280,000; Waterford, £160,000.
