Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2018
568. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider re-establishing the subvention towards the operating costs for daily flights between Dublin and Sligo airports in view of the return to strength of the economy over the past seven years and in view of the fact that there is no motorway link from Mullingar to Sligo (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43540/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will know, Exchequer supports for Sligo Airport ceased following a Value for Money Review of the Regional Airports Programme and an associated Government Decision in June 2011. Accordingly, from 2012, the Regional Airports Programme only provides targeted support in the areas of safety and security to four regional airports at Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock, Kerry and Waterford.
The Exchequer funding available over the lifetime of the current Regional Airports Programme 2015-2019 will be fully required to provide these limited supports, and to support air services on our two existing PSO routes from Donegal and Kerry to Dublin.
In relation to the road link between Mullingar and Sligo, the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 to 2027 does provide for a number of schemes on this section of the N4. The N4 Collooney Castlebaldwin scheme is going to Government for approval and, if approved, the local authority will subsequently enter into a tender process. There are two further projects which are at an early stage of appraisal and design, namely the N4 Mullingar to Longford and the N4 Carrick to Dromod.
As the Deputy refers, Project 2040 is Ireland’s overarching policy initiative, which is informed by the NDP. The NDP, which provides for the road projects outlined above, does not include provision for extending funds under the Regional Airports Programme to other airports such as Sligo and there are no plans to revisit this issue.
