Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
170. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport the additional funding allocated to Shannon and Cork airports; the conditions of the funding; the timeline of payment of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31273/20]
View answerIn recognition of the devastating effects of Covid-19, Budget 2021 has provided capital funding of €10m for Shannon and Cork airports in 2021. This is the first time that these airports will be eligible for State funding under an Exchequer Funding Scheme.
Historically, funding has only been provided to Ireland's smallest airports - those with less than 1 million passengers - under the Government's Regional Airport Programme.
Next year, in addition to the Regional Airports Programme, a new Scheme will be established for airports that handle between 1 and 3 million annual passengers in line with State Aid rules. Only Cork and Shannon airports will meet the eligibility criteria for this particular Scheme in 2021.
The Programme will be designed along the same lines as the capital grant schemes under the Regional Airports Programme with funding primarily targeted at safety and security related projects. If projects are approved in line with the associated eligibility criteria, payments will be made during the course of the year once the appropriate evidence of expenditure has been received by the Department.
