Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 3

Written Answers. - Regional Airports.

Joe Higgins

Question:

477 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the amount of public money invested by Údarás na Gaeltachta and other Government agencies in Donegal Airport over the past ten years both by way of direct grant aid and tax foregone; if she has approved the proposed change of use involving construction of additional hangars and so on for paint stripping and repainting of aircraft; the amount of grant aid, if any, including tax incentives and rent and rates rebates approved for this development; if she will make available any information she has obtained on the trading history and previous experience of the Swedish company which will operate this proposed paint stripping plant; and the assessment, if any, made of the impact of the proposed development on the special area of conservation. [7681/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Eamon Ó Cuív)

I understand from Údarás na Gaeltachta that it has invested £490,000 in shares in Aerphort Idirnáisiúnta Dhún na nGall Teo and has paid £344,877 in grants to the company. Further grants were paid to the company by the Department of Public Enterprise and by the International Fund for Ireland. Donegal County Council has also assisted the company. The question of tax forgone is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.

An tÚdarás has informed me that it has approved a package of assistance for a company to establish an aircraft painting and fitting business in the hangar at Carrickfin airport. Ministerial approval for that project was not required. The development is the subject of a planning application to Donegal County Council. If the project is proceeded with details of the financial assistance sanctioned and paid by an tÚdarás will be published in the normal way in that body's annual report and accounts. The question of rates rebates is a matter for Donegal County Council. The question of the company's trading history is one solely for an tÚdarás and I have no function in the matter nor indeed do I have any information in that regard.

With regard to the impact of the proposed development on the special area of conservation I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 320 of 9 March.