Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 December 2014
483. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual cost to the Exchequer of the regional air services public service obligation for the Donegal to Dublin route; the number of passengers that utilise the service per annum in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47039/14]
View answer484. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual cost to the Exchequer of the regional air services public service obligation for the Kerry to Dublin route; the number of passengers that utilised the service per annum in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47040/14]
View answer485. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of State aid paid to each regional airport in the years 2009 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47045/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 483 to 485, inclusive, together.
Under the current Regional Airports Programme, Exchequer support is provided to Donegal, Waterford, Kerry and IWA Knock airports through the Capital Expenditure Grants Scheme (CAPEX) and the Operational Expenditure Subvention Scheme (OPEX). Exchequer support is also provided under the Programme through a Scheme for subventing Public Service Obligations (PSO) air services operating between Kerry and Dublin and Donegal and Dublin, which is paid directly to the operating airlines.
Contracts will be signed shortly to operate PSO services on these two routes for the three year period commencing 1 February 2015.
Expenditure under the first two Schemes for the years 2009 to date is set out in the following table:
|
Total Expenditure (€000) |
2014 (to 30/11/2014 - (€000) |
2013 - (€000) |
2012 - (€000) |
2011 - (€000) |
2010 - (€000) |
2009 - (€000) |
|
Donegal |
432 |
339 |
111 |
2,154 |
631 |
165 |
|
IWAK |
1,691 |
2,668 |
1,289 |
665 |
1,584 |
4,319 |
|
Kerry |
45 |
1,178 |
2,184 |
1,349 |
- |
45 |
|
Waterford |
149 |
1,483 |
2,567 |
2,068 |
1,608 |
1,718 |
|
Galway |
- |
- |
- |
2,532 |
1,890 |
1,416 |
|
Sligo |
- |
- |
- |
624 |
395 |
398 |
|
Total |
2,317 |
5,668 |
6,151 |
9,392 |
6,108 |
8,061 |
The average cost per annum for the two PSO air services is approximately €7.5m. Passenger numbers travelling on both PSO air service routes since 2009 are detailed as follows:
|
Passenger Numbers |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
|
Donegal |
21,404 |
19,796 |
25,187 |
31,454 |
36,582 |
|
Kerry |
32,887 |
31,003 |
27,178 |
64,520 |
101,442 |
