Brian O'Shea
Question:181 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the proposals she has for the upgrading of Waterford regional airport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16942/01]
Written Answers. - Regional Airports.
Under the airports measure of the National Development Plan 2000-2006, an amount of £6 million in Exchequer funds has been allocated over that period to assist infrastructural improvements and upgrades in facilities at the regional airports in the southern and east ern region, that is, Kerry Airport and Waterford Airport.
There has been no expenditure of these funds to date but in April last, my Department invited the airport authorities to submit their proposals for grant assistance to the Department by 31 May 2001. When all the requisite information is to hand, the proposals from Waterford will be examined, in conjunction with those from the other regional airports, in the light of the objectives of the airports measure and the funding available. It is anticipated that decisions on the selection of projects will be made at the end of the summer.
In addition to the funds provided under the NDP, I have in recent years enhanced the programme of support for the marketing and promotional efforts of the regional airports. I have already allocated a sum of £200,000 from this marketing fund to Waterford Airport in recognition of the particular financial difficulties in which that airport found itself earlier this year. A sum of £150,000 has been paid over to date.
Question No. 182 answered with Question No. 174.