Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
974 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Transport when he expects the completion of the review of public service obligation funding for regional airports; the nature and purpose of this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21495/04]
View answerThe review to which the Deputy refers is the review of air services supported by the essential Air Services Programme, public service obligation routes. DKM economic consultants were commissioned by my Department to undertake the review under the Government's expenditure review initiative. The consultant's report was published earlier this year.
The purpose of the review was to evaluate the degree to which the objectives of the PSO programme warrant the ongoing allocation of Exchequer support, on a route-by-route basis, and to examine the scope for alternative policy or new approaches to achieving the objectives on a more efficient and/or effective basis.
I intend to bring forward proposals in the near future designed to ensure that an appropriate level of air access to and from the regional airports can be facilitated on a more cost-effective basis, while also encouraging maximum commercial initiative on the part of the regional airports and air carriers.
